Austin, TX: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Situated on the Colorado River and featuring elevations up to 1,000 feet above sea level, Austin enjoys plenty of sunshine and relatively warm weather year-round. The climate is humid subtropical, meaning the city sees extremely hot summers and mild winters. Austin weather is generally dry, though light rain is common throughout the four seasons. Temperatures usually only drop below freezing for a few days each winter.

Summer: The city heats up to triple digits for many days of summer, but summer evenings are usually cool enough for visitors to enjoy outdoor concerts and al fresco dining. The average temperature is 83 degrees F and the average rainfall is 2.5 inches per month. The chance of sunshine is 75&percnt.

Fall: The summer heat lets up just in time for the autumn schedule of highly popular sporting events related to the University of Texas. Fall is dry and sunny in Austin. haThe average temperature is 69 degrees F, the chance of sunshine is 60&percnt, and the average monthly rainfall is 3.3 inches.

Winter: Some travelers say that winter is the best time to visit Austin. The temperatures rarely drop to freezing, and it's less expensive to stay in the better hotels. The average temperature is 48 degrees F and the average rainfall is.1.8 inches per month. The average chance of sunshine is 45&percnt.

Spring: Bright flowers and light rainstorms characterize Austin weather in spring. The average temperature is 67 degrees F, the chance of sunshine is 55&percnt, and the average rainfall is 3.6 inches per month.

Looking for local weather reports when you arrive in town? Try News 8 on cable TV, available at nearly every hotel in Austin.

When to Go: Peak Season

Summer is peak season in Austin, with a few exceptions. The SXSW music festival, occurring in March, brings huge crowds to the Texan city, and hotel rooms are booked up well in advance. Similarly, any major event related to the University of Texas - football games, graduations, etc. - draw large numbers of visiting family and friends to Austin. Check the university's calendar as you make your travel plans so that you can avoid hotel room competition on the busiest weekends. Summer in Austin may be hot and crowded with tourists, but it's also a great time to visit because of the lively music scene and the outdoor bars and cafes filled with revelers. end

When to Go: Off Season

Winter is technically Austin's off season, but December, January, and February are lovely times to visit the city. Around the winter holidays, the city tends to be busier, but in general, Austin sees fewer tourists during these months. The weather is temperate during winter, only occasionally dropping down into the 30s during cold spells that last a day or two, and hotels offer lower rates to attract travelers. January is the driest month of the year, bringing only about 1.89 inches of precipitation to the city. Austin weather is about as pleasant in winter as any city could be during its off season.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Spring and fall are Austin's shoulder seasons, but they also see some of the busiest weeks of the year. The SXSW music festival in March and various university events in autumn bring significant crowds to the city, and hotel rates sky-rocket - in many cases, you won't be able to find a hotel room at all if you haven't reserved it months ahead of time. Apart from these major events, Austin is laid-back in spring and fall, with fewer crowds than in summer. May is the rainiest month in Austin, and after a storm, the city's flowers bloom beautifully, delighting visitors and residents alike.

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  63  42

• Wed

   

  Sunny

  66  42

• Thu

   

  Mostly Sunny

  67  45

• Fri

   

  Partly Cloudy

  66  53

• Sat

   

  Partly Cloudy

  73  60

• Sun

   

  Showers

  69  54

• Mon

   

  Showers

  58  45

Get more information on Austin weather.