Texas Weather by Region: What to Expect All Year

As an Amazon Associate, Texas Journeys earns from qualifying purchases. Product links on this page may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

There’s an old saying: if you don’t like the weather in Texas, wait five minutes. With a state this big, the weather depends heavily on where you are. Southeast Texas gets as much rain as the Pacific Northwest, while El Paso is true desert. Here’s what Texas weather is like in each region, and how to prepare for it.

Texas weather at a glance

Region	Climate	Summer	Winter	Watch out for
Gulf Coast and Houston	Humid subtropical	Hot and very humid	Mild, rarely freezing	Hurricanes, flooding
East Texas (Piney Woods)	Humid, rainy	Hot and humid	Mild with occasional freezes	Severe storms, flooding
North Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth)	Humid, continental swings	Hot, often 100°F	Cool with occasional ice	Tornadoes, hail
Central Texas and Hill Country	Warm, variable	Hot	Mild	Flash floods
South Texas and the Valley	Semi-arid to subtropical	Very hot	Warm and pleasant	Heat, hurricanes
Panhandle and High Plains	Semi-arid, windy	Hot days, cooler nights	Cold, with snow	Blizzards, tornadoes, dust
West Texas and El Paso	Desert	Hot and dry	Cool, sunny	Extreme heat, little rain

The Gulf Coast and Houston

Expect heat and humidity for much of the year. Summers are steamy and thunderstorms pop up most afternoons. Southeast Texas is the wettest part of the state, averaging around 60 inches of rain a year in some areas. Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and flooding from heavy rain is the most common weather hazard.

East Texas

The Piney Woods are green and rainy, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Spring and fall bring strong thunderstorms. It’s beautiful country, thanks to all that rain.

North Texas

Dallas–Fort Worth sits at the southern end of Tornado Alley. Spring is storm season, with large hail and tornadoes possible. Summers are hot and long, and winters swing from warm days to occasional ice storms that can shut down roads.

Central Texas and the Hill Country

Austin and San Antonio enjoy mild winters and hot summers. The Hill Country is known as “Flash Flood Alley.” Thin soils and steep terrain mean heavy rain runs off fast, and rivers can rise in minutes. Never drive through flooded roads: “Turn around, don’t drown.”

South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley

Winters are warm and sunny, which is why the Valley draws “Winter Texans” from colder states. Summers are very hot. The coast here is also exposed to hurricanes.

The Panhandle and High Plains

Amarillo and Lubbock have four true seasons. Winters bring real cold and occasional blizzards, spring brings wind and tornadoes, and summer days are hot but nights cool off thanks to the elevation and dry air.

West Texas and El Paso

This is desert country. El Paso averages less than 10 inches of rain a year and over 300 days of sunshine. Summers are hot, but low humidity makes shade feel cooler, and mountain areas like the Davis Mountains are noticeably milder. Big Bend can be dangerously hot in summer; see our best Texas road trips for the best times to go.

The best time to visit Texas

For most of the state, spring (March to May) and fall (October to November) offer the most comfortable weather. Spring brings wildflowers, and fall brings football. Winter is ideal for the Rio Grande Valley and Big Bend. Summer is best spent in the water. Find a spot in our best Texas state parks guide.

Be ready for Texas weather

• A NOAA weather radio for tornado, flood and hurricane alerts.
• A portable power station for power outages.
• A hail protector cover for your car.
• Cooling towels for summer heat.
• An emergency kit for hurricane and winter storm season.

Thinking of moving here? Read our guide to moving to Texas. And tell us about the wildest Texas weather you’ve seen on the Texas Journeys Facebook page.