Weather in McAllen, Texas
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—93°76°
- SundayMay 17Thunderstorm10%94°79°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm22%96°78°
- TuesdayMay 19Thunderstorm24%96°74°
- WednesdayMay 20Thunderstorm24%96°77°
- ThursdayMay 21Thunderstorm55%90°77°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle55%95°76°
- PM 2.5
- 8.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 11.5 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.2 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 75.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 12:06 PM
- Moonset
- 1:32 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
McAllen at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 4°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: January 23 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| April | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | — | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
August brings McAllen's peak heat with mean temperatures around 88°F, while January delivers the year's coolest weather at about 60°F. September stands as the wettest month with 3.8 inches of rainfall, contrasting sharply with December's meager 0.6 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 60° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| February | 65° | 0.6″ | 1 |
| March | 70° | 1.0″ | 2 |
| April | 76° | 1.4″ | 2 |
| May | 82° | 1.4″ | 2 |
| June | 86° | 3.0″ | 3 |
| July | 87° | 1.6″ | 2 |
| August | 88° | 1.4″ | 3 |
| September | 84° | 3.8″ | 5 |
| October | 78° | 2.0″ | 3 |
| November | 68° | 1.1″ | 2 |
| December | 62° | 0.6″ | 2 |
Regional context
McAllen belongs to the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Fort Worth, TX.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the arrival of scissor-tailed flycatchers, their distinctive forked tails marking the transition into summer breeding season.
Mexican buckeye trees bloom in March, their fragrant pink clusters appearing before the leaves unfurl.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in McAllen?
- Spring's final frost typically occurs around mid-February in McAllen, while the first fall frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in McAllen?
- September receives the most rainfall with approximately 3.8 inches on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 19 inches.
- What is the warmest month in McAllen?
- August typically records the highest temperatures, with averages around 88°F.
- What is the coldest month in McAllen?
- January brings the coolest temperatures, averaging about 60°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in McAllen?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-February, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does McAllen get?
- McAllen experiences about 29 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is McAllen?
- McAllen's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; use the USDA's online lookup tool with the city ZIP code for the current zone designation.
Climate
McAllen, Texas experiences a humid subtropical climate. Winter temperatures in January hover near 60°F, while July brings averages of 87°F, creating a 27°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 19 inches, distributed across roughly 29 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes McAllen's weather patterns through its latitude of 26.2°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what plants thrive here, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.