Dallas, TX: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Dallas weather is warm and humid. The city, located in northern Texas about 250 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico, sits on rolling plains along the Trinity River. The climate is classified as humid sub-tropical, but dry, hot winds also blow through the city in summer, which accounts for the still, sweltering weather. In spring, cool winds from Canada meet warm winds from the Gulf Coast, resulting in frequent thunderstorm activity.

Summer: July and August are almost unbearably hot and humid in Dallas. They're also the driest months on the calendar, so few rainstorms sweep through to cool down the sky-high temperatures. The average temperature is 83 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2.5 inches.

Fall: Autumn is the loveliest time to visit Dallas. Most days are filled with sunshine, and evenings are pleasantly cool. Precipitation is fairly minimal. The average temperature is 67 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.2 inches.

Winter: Dallas weather can be unpredictable in winter. Highs push into the upper 60s on some sunny afternoons, but temperatures can dip to freezing level in the evening, so it's best to pack a variety of clothing. The average temperature is 45 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2 inches.

Spring: April and May are the rainiest months in Dallas. Rainy spells can last for a few days at a time, and afternoon thunderstorms are common even during sunny weeks. On the plus side, these rains encourage the growth of Texas' famous wildflowers. The average temperature is 66 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 4 inches.

Looking for local weather reports? Click on the local NBC station or log onto their website at www.nbcdfw.com/weather.

When to Go: Peak Season
Dallas attracts the highest numbers of leisure travelers when the weather is tolerable. Summer is hot and sticky, but Dallas weather is often warm and pleasant during fall and spring, ideal for excursions to White Rock Lake or sightseeing and window shopping in the city. Major art festivals bring even more visitors to Dallas in spring, while fall features GrapeFest, a Greek Food Festival, and the State Fair, which goes on for three weeks in Dallas every autumn. Hotel rooms will be harder to come by around these events and on weekends. While early spring and late fall can be chilly and wet, the months of May, June, September, and October signify clear weather and sunshine.

When to Go: Off Season
Pump up the air conditioner: Dallas is really hot and humid during summer. You'll probably want to be either in a swimming pool or in an air-conditioned room during the dog days of summer in Texas, so it's widely considered an unappealing time to venture south. You'll have no trouble finding a hotel room at this time, though many of the business hotels in the city are booked solid with convention attendees. It's not a bad time to enjoy the city's indoor attractions, from museums to restaurants to the aquarium, and when the sun goes down, the extreme heat lets up and visitors can enjoy a relaxed stroll through the downtown.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Winter is usually the off season in US destinations, but not in Dallas. That's because Dallas weather is quite mild in winter: sure, the city experiences an occasional ice storm, but much of the time, the temperatures are warm enough for outdoor activities. The city comes to life around Christmas and New Years (and accommodations are more expensive, as well) when various neighborhoods hold tree-lighting ceremonies and the cultural calendar offers countless holiday-themed music and theatre performances. If you can't stand the bitter cold in the United States' northern cities, Dallas is an appealing wintertime option.

• Mon

   

  Mostly Clear

  71  50

• Tue

   

  Sunny

  64  41

• Wed

   

  Sunny

  65  40

• Thu

   

  Sunny

  63  39

• Fri

   

  Sunny

  64  46

• Sat

   

  Sunny

  65  54

• Sun

   

  Showers

  60  45

Get more information on Dallas weather.