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 throughout 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 a climate where summers are hot and humid, and winters are mild. Because the city is near the Gulf of Mexico, temperatures don't get extremely cold or hot, and the air stays humid throughout the year.

Seasonal observation

Houston experiences four seasons, but its weather is mainly split into a wet season and a dry season. The wet season runs from April/May to September/October, while the dry season is from November/December to March/April. Sometimes, weather patterns can change due to El Niño or La Niña.

Summers in Houston, from June to August, are very hot and humid. Temperatures often reach into the 90s °F, and 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 occasional 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 type of 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.

In 1979, the city received a record 83.02 inches of rain in one year. During Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Houston got more than 79 inches of rain for the whole year, with almost 40 inches falling in just August alone. Rarely, Houston gets very little rain—like in 1917, when it only got about 18 inches for the whole year, or in 2011 during a drought.

Because the land is very flat, heavy rains can cause dangerous flooding. Rain showers that come in with the sea breeze, especially in summer, are common along the Texas Gulf Coast and are sometimes called the “Gulf Coast Monsoon.”

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

Extreme weather

Houston sometimes has serious weather, mostly flooding. Hurricanes can bring big damage to the area. Seven big hurricanes have hit the Galveston and Houston areas in the past 100 years, and four caused major damage to Houston.

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, especially in lower areas, 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. The last snow was in January 2025. 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 because of less wind resistance in the Atlantic. After El Niño, springtime often brings more rain. This was seen during big floods in May 2015 and in June 2016, when the Houston area had lots of rain from weather patterns similar to those in South Asia.

Environmental issues

Houston has faced many pollution problems over the years, especially because it is home to many oil and gas companies. This has led to serious air and water pollution issues in the area.

The city is known for having a lot of air pollution, especially a type called ground-level ozone or smog. This pollution comes from many sources, including factories and cars. Houston has worked on projects like the METRORail system to help people use public transportation instead of cars, which can help reduce pollution. While some days can be very polluted, the city’s average ozone levels are often lower than in other cities because of clean winds from the Gulf.