Climate of Houston

Houston has a special kind of weather called a humid subtropical climate. This means the city has very hot and sticky summers and gentle, mild winters. Because Houston is close to the Gulf of Mexico and sits at a low height, it sometimes feels even more like a tropical place. The air holds a lot of moisture, which makes it feel especially warm and humid during the summer months. This climate affects everyday life in Houston, from what people wear to how the city plans its buildings and parks.

Temperature patterns

Houston has clear changes in temperature during the year. The hottest month is August, when temperatures usually reach around 95°F (35°C). The coolest month is January, with temperatures around 63°F (17°C).

Seasonal characteristics

Houston has hot and humid summers, and mild winters. Because the city is near the Gulf of Mexico, temperatures stay moderate, and the air remains humid all year.

Seasonal observation

Houston has four seasons, but the weather is mostly split into a wet season and a dry season. The wet season is from April/May to September/October. The dry season is from November/December to March/April. Sometimes, weather patterns can change because of El Niño or La Niña.

Summers in Houston, from June to August, are very hot and humid. Temperatures often get into the 90s °F, and the humidity makes it feel even hotter. Autumn is warm with mild temperatures, though hurricanes can sometimes bring heavy rain. Winters are mild and dry, with cool nights but usually not very cold. Spring starts in February and warms up through May, bringing thunderstorms and more insects like mosquitoes as the weather gets warmer.

Precipitation

Rain is the most common weather in Houston, and the city gets a lot of it all year. The wettest month is June, with about 5.93 inches of rain on average. Houston usually has about 49.77 inches of rain over about 104 days each year.

During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Houston got a lot of rain. Because the land is very flat, heavy rains can cause flooding.

Light snow sometimes falls in winter but does not stick around. Hail can sometimes happen, but only in small amounts.

Extreme weather

Houston sometimes has serious weather, mostly flooding. Hurricanes can bring big damage to the area. Because Houston is near the Gulf of Mexico, it often faces hurricanes or tropical storms every hurricane season from June to November.

Flooding is a common problem in Houston because the city is on flat land that drains slowly. Heavy rains can cause streets and homes to flood. Tropical Storm Allison in 2001 brought lots of rain and caused big floods. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 also caused severe flooding.

Houston does not get many tornadoes, but small ones can happen during spring storms. These usually cause only light damage.

Winter in Houston is usually mild, but it can get cold a few days each year. Snow is rare and usually melts quickly. Ice storms happen more often than snow and can be very disruptive because they are rare.

El Niño

During El Niño events, Houston has cooler and wetter winters because of a stronger southern jet stream. This can make the usual wet season last longer. More clouds during these winters help keep temperatures down.

During La Niña events, the jet stream moves farther north, leading to warmer and drier winters. There is also a higher risk of damage from tropical storms and hurricanes during La Niña. After El Niño, springtime often brings more rain.

Environmental issues

Houston has had pollution problems because many oil and gas companies are there. This has caused air and water pollution.

The city has a lot of air pollution, especially something called ground-level ozone or smog. This pollution comes from factories and cars. Houston has built the METRORail to help people use buses and trains instead of cars, which can cut down on pollution. Some days the air is very polluted, but usually, the city’s ozone levels are lower than in other cities because of clean winds from the Gulf.