Austin, TX, weather follows a humid subtropical pattern with long hot summers, short mild winters, and roughly 300 sunny days a year. Temperatures typically range from about 40 degrees on a January morning to 97 degrees on an August afternoon. Annual rainfall averages 36 to 37 inches, spread unevenly across the calendar, with May the wettest month and winter the driest stretch. Snow is close to nonexistent.
Anyone relocating from a four-season climate should understand one thing early: Austin does not have four equal seasons. It has a long summer, a pleasant fall, a brief cool period, and a fast spring. Planning a move, choosing a home, and budgeting utilities all depend on that shape. Evolution Moving Company has scheduled Austin moves through every month of this cycle and the weather calendar drives more decisions than most newcomers expect.
Austin Climate by the Numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate classification | Humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa) |
| Average annual temperature | About 69°F |
| Hottest month | August, average high 97°F |
| Coldest month | January, average high 62°F, low 40°F |
| Annual rainfall | 36 to 37 inches |
| Wettest month | May, about 5 inches |
| Driest month | February, about 1.2 inches |
| Days at or above 100°F | About 29 per year |
| Days below freezing | About 25 per year, mostly overnight |
| Annual snowfall | Near zero |
Summer: June Through September
Summer is the defining season. Highs sit in the mid 90s from June onward and push past 100 degrees on roughly 29 days a year, concentrated in July and August. Humidity climbs, and July averages 10.6 hours of sunshine daily.
What this means in practice:
- Electricity bills climb sharply from June through September. Many households see their highest utility costs of the year in August.
- Outdoor activity shifts to early morning and evening. Barton Springs Pool, which stays at around 68 to 70 degrees year-round, becomes a daily habit for a lot of residents.
- Afternoon thunderstorms appear but rarely break the heat for long.
- Vehicle interiors, garages, and storage units reach dangerous temperatures. Heat-sensitive belongings need climate control.
If your move lands in this window, start loading at 7 a.m. and finish before mid-afternoon. Our Austin crews plan hydration and rotation into summer jobs rather than reacting to the heat mid-day.
Fall: October Through November
Fall is the most comfortable stretch of the Austin year. October highs sit near 82 degrees with lows around 60. By November, highs drop to about 71 with lows near 50. Humidity falls noticeably. Fall foliage is modest compared with northern states, but November brings some color along the greenbelts and Lady Bird Lake.
This is also when Austin hosts Austin City Limits, and central neighborhoods see heavy traffic and street closures around Zilker Park for two October weekends.
Winter: December Through February
Austin winters are short and mild. January is the coldest month, with highs near 60 to 62 degrees and lows around 40. Freezing temperatures occur about 25 nights a year, and most days warm up well above freezing by noon.
Two caveats matter for newcomers:
- Ice, not snow, is the real winter risk. Central Texas occasionally gets freezing rain events that shut down bridges and overpasses on I-35, MoPac, and 183. These are infrequent but disruptive when they happen.
- Homes are built for heat, not cold. Insulation and pipe protection are lighter than in northern construction. Exposed pipes need covering during hard freezes.
February is the driest month of the year, with roughly 1.2 inches of rain, which makes late winter one of the most reliable windows for outdoor projects and moves.
Spring: March Through May
Spring moves fast. March highs average about 76 degrees, and by May, the city is already near summer conditions at 86 degrees with lows near 68. Wildflowers peak in late March and April along Highway 290 and the Hill Country routes.
May is the wettest month, delivering about 5 inches of rain across roughly 9 rainy days. Central Texas sits in a region prone to flash flooding, and low water crossings in West Austin and the Hill Country can become dangerous quickly during heavy rain. The standing local rule is straightforward: never drive through moving water.
March also brings South by Southwest, which fills Downtown Austin and complicates parking, deliveries, and truck access for about ten days.
Practical Weather Planning for New Residents
| Concern | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Summer electricity | Budget for peak bills June through September, service the HVAC in spring |
| Hard freeze | Cover exposed pipes, know your main water shutoff |
| Flash flooding | Learn which low water crossings sit on your commute |
| Sun exposure | Window film and shade trees measurably reduce cooling costs |
| Allergies | Cedar fever peaks from December through February and affects many newcomers |
Cedar fever deserves a specific mention. Mountain cedar pollen spikes from December into February and produces allergy symptoms severe enough that many longtime Texans still get caught by it. It surprises almost every newcomer during their first winter.
Moving to Austin Around the Weather
Understanding the climate helps you choose the right moving date, estimate utility costs, and protect your belongings throughout the relocation process. Our moving company team in Austin, provides reliable residential and commercial moving services in Austin, TX, with experienced movers, transparent pricing, and a commitment to making every move as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact us today to request a free, no-obligation moving quote.