Weather in Austin, Texas
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—87°70°
- SundayMay 17Thunderstorm13%89°74°
- MondayMay 18Thunderstorm15%91°75°
- TuesdayMay 19Thunderstorm52%93°76°
- WednesdayMay 20Showers52%79°68°
- ThursdayMay 21Thunderstorm67%81°69°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle67%87°70°
- PM 2.5
- 8.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 12.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.4 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 74.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 11:53 AM
- Moonset
- 1:41 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Austin at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 3°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: February 17 (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 | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | 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 Austin's peak heat with average temperatures around 87°F, while January delivers the year's coldest conditions at roughly 52°F. Rain follows its own calendar, with May producing the heaviest downpours at 5.0 inches and February staying relatively dry at just 1.9 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52° | 2.6″ | 4 |
| February | 56° | 1.9″ | 4 |
| March | 63° | 2.9″ | 5 |
| April | 70° | 2.4″ | 4 |
| May | 77° | 5.0″ | 6 |
| June | 83° | 3.7″ | 5 |
| July | 86° | 2.0″ | 3 |
| August | 87° | 2.7″ | 3 |
| September | 81° | 3.5″ | 4 |
| October | 72° | 3.9″ | 5 |
| November | 61° | 2.9″ | 4 |
| December | 54° | 2.7″ | 4 |
Regional context
Austin belongs to the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities in this climate category.
Similar climates: Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, San Antonio, TX, Fort Worth, TX, McAllen, TX.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the synchronized emergence of cicadas across Austin, their distinctive calls marking the transition into full summer heat.
Bluebonnet wildflowers reach peak bloom in April, carpeting roadsides and fields with their characteristic blue spikes before the intense summer arrives.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Austin?
- Spring's final frost in Austin typically occurs around mid-March, while the first fall frost returns around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Austin?
- May stands as the wettest month, delivering about 5.0 inches of rain on average, contributing to the city's annual total of roughly 36 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Austin?
- August typically registers as the warmest month, with average temperatures reaching about 87°F.
- What is the coldest month in Austin?
- January marks the coldest period of the year, averaging about 52°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Austin?
- Cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce can go into the ground around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Austin get?
- Austin experiences about 50 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Austin?
- Austin's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP code provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Austin, Texas experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover around 52°F, while summer heat in July reaches an average of 86°F, creating a 34°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, the city collects approximately 36 inches of precipitation distributed across roughly 50 rainy days.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude of 30.3°N, along with its proximity to large water bodies and elevation. These geographic factors determine what vegetation thrives, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.
ZIP codes in Austin
- 78749
- 78748
- 78741
- 78742
- 78745
- 78744
- 78747
- 78746
- 78717
- 78712
- 78719
- 78617
- 78739
- 78735
- 78736
- 78730
- 78731
- 78732
- 78733
- 78705
- 78704
- 78701
- 78703
- 78702
- 78758
- 78759
- 78752
- 78753
- 78750
- 78751
- 78756
- 78757
- 78754
- 78652
- 78723
- 78722
- 78721
- 78727
- 78726
- 78725
- 78724
- 78729
- 78728
- 73301
- 73344
- 78651
- 78708
- 78709
- 78710
- 78711
- 78713
- 78714
- 78715
- 78718
- 78720
- 78755
- 78760
- 78761
- 78762
- 78763
- 78765
- 78766
- 78767
- 78768
- 78772
- 78773
- 78774
- 78778
- 78779
- 78783
- 78799