Houston Weather by Month: August has an average high close to 95 °F, June typically records 6 inches of rain, and temperatures begin to drop more clearly in October.
HOUSTON, Texas — Houston’s climate ranges from average highs near 64 °F in January to nearly 95 °F in August. The city receives rainfall year-round, while the hottest period partly overlaps with the Atlantic hurricane season.
The 1991-2020 climate normals for Houston at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) show an annual average temperature of 70.5 °F and approximately 51.84 inches of rainfall per year.
These figures describe long-term average conditions. They are not a forecast for a specific day and do not set limits: Houston can record temperatures, rainfall, and storms that differ significantly during particular events.
Houston Weather Across the Year
- Month with the lowest average temperature: January, 53.8 °F.
- Month with the highest average temperature: August, 85.2 °F.
- Highest average high: 94.9 °F in August.
- Wettest month on normals: June, with 6.00 inches.
- Normal annual rainfall: 51.84 inches.
- Hurricane season: June 1 to November 30.
- Climatological hurricane peak: around September 10.
Houston Temperatures and Rain by Month
The following table uses the 1991-2020 IAH climate normals. Temperatures refer to monthly averages, not absolute daily highs or lows recorded during each month.
| Month | Average High | Average Low | Normal Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 63.8 °F / 17.7 °C | 43.7 °F / 6.5 °C | 3.76 inches |
| February | 67.8 °F / 19.9 °C | 47.6 °F / 8.7 °C | 2.97 inches |
| March | 74.0 °F / 23.3 °C | 53.6 °F / 12.0 °C | 3.47 inches |
| April | 80.1 °F / 26.7 °C | 59.8 °F / 15.4 °C | 3.95 inches |
| May | 86.9 °F / 30.5 °C | 67.8 °F / 19.9 °C | 5.01 inches |
| June | 92.3 °F / 33.5 °C | 73.7 °F / 23.2 °C | 6.00 inches |
| July | 94.5 °F / 34.7 °C | 75.7 °F / 24.3 °C | 3.77 inches |
| August | 94.9 °F / 34.9 °C | 75.4 °F / 24.1 °C | 4.84 inches |
| September | 90.4 °F / 32.4 °C | 70.6 °F / 21.4 °C | 4.71 inches |
| October | 82.8 °F / 28.2 °C | 60.9 °F / 16.1 °C | 5.46 inches |
| November | 72.6 °F / 22.6 °C | 51.5 °F / 10.8 °C | 3.87 inches |
| December | 65.3 °F / 18.5 °C | 45.6 °F / 7.6 °C | 4.03 inches |
January Has Houston’s Lowest Average Temperatures
January is normally the coldest month of the year in Houston. The average high is 63.8 °F and the average low is 43.7 °F.
February begins to warm slightly, with an average high of 67.8 °F and an average low of 47.6 °F.
These average temperatures stay above freezing, but Houston can still experience cold fronts capable of producing much larger drops during particular periods.
March and April Raise Highs from 74 to 80 °F
The shift to warmer temperatures becomes evident during March and April.
March has an average high of 74 °F, while April reaches 80.1 °F. Lows also rise from 53.6 °F in March to almost 60 °F in April.
For May, the average high already reaches 86.9 °F and the low approaches 68 °F.
June Begins the Period of Average Highs Above 90 °F
June marks the start of Houston’s hottest stretch on the climate calendar. The average high reaches 92.3 °F and the low remains around 74 °F.
July climbs to an average high of 94.5 °F and August reaches 94.9 °F.
Evenings stay warm too. The average lows in July and August are around 75 °F, meaning much of the summer passes with elevated temperatures even after sunset.
August Records the Highest Average Temperature of the Year
August has a normal average temperature of 85.2 °F, slightly above the 85.1 °F of July.
Its average high of 94.9 °F is also the highest in Houston’s monthly calendar.
Monthly normals do not account for humidity’s impact on the heat index, so during heat events the heat index can exceed the recorded temperature by a considerable margin.
Houston Typically Receives 51.84 Inches of Rainfall Per Year
Rainfall is not limited to a single season. The IAH normals total 51.84 inches of annual precipitation, roughly 1,317 millimeters.
June records the greatest normal amount of the year, at 6.00 inches. October ranks second with 5.46 inches and May reaches 5.01.
February has the lowest monthly normal total, at 2.97 inches.
These amounts are 30-year averages. A tropical storm, a heavy rainfall system, or a prolonged dry spell can produce substantial differences from the average in a given year.
September Still Averages Highs Above 90 °F
The end of the meteorological summer does not mean an immediate shift to cooler temperatures in Houston.
September maintains an average high of 90.4 °F and an average low of 70.6 °F.
The month also coincides with the most active period of the Atlantic hurricane season. The historical peak occurs around September 10.
October Reduces the Average High to 82.8 °F
October tends to produce one of the most noticeable changes in the local climate calendar. The normal high falls from 90.4 °F in September to 82.8 °F, while the low drops from 70.6 to 60.9 °F.
November expands that decline, with an average high of 72.6 °F and an average low of 51.5 °F.
The first cold fronts may arrive before or after those dates, so the monthly average does not determine when the first major autumn drop will occur.
December Again Registers Average Lows Below 50 °F
December has an average high of 65.3 °F and an average low of 45.6 °F.
Winter normals are considerably milder than in much of the central and northern United States, but Houston can still experience strong cold fronts and brief periods with temperatures near or below freezing.
The Hurricane Season Runs from June 1 to November 30
The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 to November 30.
Historically, activity peaks around September 10 and is concentrated mainly from mid-August to mid-October.
An active season does not guarantee Houston will be impacted by a cyclone, and a less active season does not remove the risk. Tracks and local threats depend on each tropical system.
IAH Normals Serve as a Reference for Houston, Not the Entire Region
The figures in this guide correspond to the 1991-2020 climate normals for the Houston station at George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Temperatures and rainfall totals can vary within the sprawling metropolitan area. Areas near Hobby Airport, Galveston Bay, the coast, or communities further north and west may experience different conditions on any given day.
For updated climate data and observations, the National Weather Service maintains Houston’s official climate center.
Monthly normals help explain how the climate typically behaves throughout the year; for day-to-day decisions, residents should use the forecast and alerts in effect for their location.
