The best time to visit Austin, Texas, is between the months of March and May. During the spring months, the weather is pleasant, making it easy to walk around and enjoy the city. Traveling during these months ensures you miss the scorching summer heat and the winter rain.
Although it is possible to travel to Austin year-round, it’s essential to know what to expect during each month of the year. The weather in Austin can vary from month to month, making crafting a travel plan more difficult.
Ready to plan your ultimate trip to Texas’s capital city? Learn more about when to visit Austin, Texas, with this insightful weather guide by season and by month.
Got more travel plans on the horizon? Check out our other weather & when to go guides and our Texas Travel Guide for more recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Weather in Austin, TX
By season
Spring
Spring in Austin, Texas, lasts from March to May and is the absolute best time of the year to visit Austin. The blinding heat sets in around late May, so spring is a great time to walk around and enjoy the sights and festivals in Austin.
Temperatures average around 79°F (26°C), and the weather is usually sunny with less cloud cover than in winter. Leave the jackets at home and enjoy exploring outdoor activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing on the picturesque Lady Bird Lake.
Many intriguing festivals happen in Austin in spring, like Rodeo Austin and the Soul Food Truck Fest. Visit the nation’s oldest kite festival, ABC Kite Fest, which takes place in Zilker Park every April.
Summer
Summer in Austin lasts from late May to late September, with an average temperature of 93°F (34°C). This season is not the best month to visit Austin if you’re susceptible to heat exhaustion or burn easily. You’ll see fewer clouds in the sky during summer, making the days long, hot, and sunny.
Although the summer heat can be intense, plenty of activities are happening throughout the city for those who want to brave the outdoors. Take a walk in nature along the Barton Creek Greenbelt or relax on a patio with a craft beer in hand at Jester Kings Brewery.
Austin’s summer festivals are also worth reapplying sunscreen for. Check out a free local concert, Blues on the Green, and the annual Fourth of July Fireworks and Symphony.
Join in the fun at the Austin Pride parade, which hosts over 400,000 people annually. Stick around in July to experience culture come alive during the four-day Summer Nights festival in the Red River Cultural District.
Fall
Fall is the second best season to visit Austin, Texas, after the summer heat has died down and the cooler weather returns. This season lasts from late September to November, withing temperatures averaging about 80°F (27°C). Although it’s more likely to be cloudy than in the summer months, it’s still prime time to experience all the top-rated things to do in Austin.
Navigate your way through the Barton Hill Farms corn maze or get spooky with the Murder, Mayhem & Misadventure Walking Tour. Although the weather is a bit cooler, autumn is still a great time to sip beer or wine on a patio and enjoy Austin’s extraordinary outdoor activities.
Festival season is still going well into the fall with the Austin Urban Music Festival and the Pecan Street Fall Arts Festival on historic Sixth Street in Downtown Austin. Take in some of America’s Indigenous history at the Austin Powwow and catch a glimpse of some of the most stunning dancers wearing jingle dresses or try authentic bannock.
Winter
Winter is by far the coolest month in Austin and lasts from late November to February. Temperatures average 64°F (18°C), and the days look cloudier with a higher chance of rain than in other seasons of the year.
Winter is still a decent season to get out and explore the top tourist spots in Austin if you want to avoid crowds. It’s the perfect time to see some of Austin’s indoor attractions, like the Blanton Museum of Art or the Zilker Botanical Gardens. Pack a jacket, and an umbrella, just in case.
There aren’t as many festivals on the horizon during the winter months, but there are plenty of pop-up holiday bars for a cool cocktail or the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar for some holiday shopping. You can join in or cheer on the Austin Marathon runners in February!
By month
January
Due to its geography, Austin is a great city to visit in January because it isn’t too cold and isn’t too hot. The average temperature in January is 42°F to 60°F, and the skies are usually overcast.
The month of January, however, is a little rainy, and there’s a chance to see snow. Austin is hit by severe winter weather like freezing rain, sleet, or snow about once every two years due to global warming. Expect the days to be comfortable and cool, but bring an umbrella and a weatherproof jacket if you visit the sights.
Tourist numbers are lower during January, after all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. This month would be an excellent time to get good deals at the top-rated Austin hotels and at attractions throughout the city.
February
February is still winter weather as usual in Austin, and temperatures can hover anywhere from 48°F (9°C) to as high as 69°F (21°C). Although it’s still chilly, you can feel the early afternoons becoming more comfortable in temperature.
The month of February is still a great time to explore Austin outdoors and escape all the crowds that come with the peak summer season. The skies have a higher chance of being clear, although rain does tend to increase towards the end of the month as spring approaches.
Love is in the air on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, and you can often find amazing deals on fine-dining restaurants and activities for couples throughout the city.
March
The cold winter starts to subside in March as spring approaches. Average daily temperatures range from 55°F (13°C) to 77°F (25°C). The late afternoons become comfortable, and only a light jacket is needed.
Pack an umbrella as the rain starts to set in during March, and skies can be overcast most of the time. As the days get longer, March is a good time to get out and enjoy Austin or visit some indoor attractions.
St Patrick’s Day falls on March 17th, and you can find many lively events throughout the city that celebrate Austin’s Irish heritage and community.
April
Spring is in full swing as April rolls around. This month is the start of the peak season in Austin as the spring weather is warm enough to enjoy the sights but not so hot you need to shelter from the sun mid-day.
Average temperatures in April are as low as 64°F (18°C) but can reach as high as 82°F (28°C), which can feel like summer weather for anyone visiting from the northern United States or other countries.
Cloud cover reduces, and with it also goes the rain. April tends to be a less rainy month than March, making it a great time to wander around Austin or enjoy a walk in the park. The rain does tend to pick up towards the end of the month, reaching 77mm by the start of May.
April is an excellent time for families to launch an Austin itinerary. Around Easter, you can find many events in the city that are geared toward families and children, like egg hunts, petting zoos, and parades.
May
Although May sees considerably more rainfall than April, it’s one of the best months to visit Austin. Temperatures range from 65°F to 89°F (18°C to 32°C) and can feel the warmest in the late afternoon. This time of the year sees much more rainfall than earlier in the spring, but it can help relieve some of the day’s heat.
Festivals liven up the city throughout the month of May despite the rain. You can see lots of locals and visitors enjoying the longer days. Austin sees plenty of visitors during the month of May, so it’s best to book your accommodations, car rentals, and major event tickets well in advance.
June
If you don’t mind the heat, June is another good month to travel to Austin. Temperatures pick up significantly and can range from 75°F to 93°F (24°C to 34°C). The heat picks up after noon and can become quite uncomfortable for some. If you plan to be outside during these summer months, it’s best to go in the early morning or late evening to avoid the worst heat.
The skies are mostly clear during the month of June, and the rain tapers off to next to nothing towards the end of the month. These clear days make various forms of sun protection a must.
July
The sweltering summer heat has arrived by the beginning of July, which makes it a less-than-ideal month to visit Austin. The average temperature ranges from 75°F to 96°F (24°C to 36°C), with global warming making the occasional year extremely hot. It’s best to try and stay inside and out of the heat between noon and 8 pm.
Rainfall and cloud cover are minimal during the month of July, so it’s best to stay out of the direct sun. Although there are some wonderful festivals to see during the summer, take necessary precautions to avoid heat exhaustion.
August
Temperatures in Austin cool off slightly in August, but it isn’t a noticeable difference. Temperatures can range from 73°F to 95°F (23°C to 35°C), and the days can be just as hot as July. The sweltering heat sets in towards the late afternoon and lasts well into the evening.
The chance of rain and cloud cover increases significantly towards the end of the month, which can be a nice relief from the summer heat. August is by far the hottest month of the year in Austin, Texas, and it’s best to avoid being outside from 11 am to 4 pm.
September
The weather in September cools off significantly from the summer heat as fall approaches. Temperatures range from 66°F (19°C) on the low end to 86°F (30°C) on the high end. The fall is the second-best season for visiting Austin due to the pleasant temperatures.
The chance of rain is a little higher at the beginning of the month of September but reduces towards the end. The cloud cover is about 50/50, which is a great opportunity to take advantage of Austin’s great festivals and outdoor activities during the early fall.
Back to school can be a busy time in September, which can be good for visitors as there are fewer locals touring around the city.
October
October is another great month to visit Austin as average temperatures drop from the previous high of 66°F to 77°F (19°C to 25°C). This month’s lowest temperature can reach 57°F (14°C), so it’d be a good idea to pack a light jacket just in case.
The days become more overcast and start to cool off in October, even during mid-day. The chance of rain peaks during the middle of the month but still stays relatively low.
Halloween is the most significant event in Austin towards the end of the month. You can see restaurants and businesses gearing up for the festivities in the weeks leading up to the 31st.
November
Average temperatures in November can range from 48°F to 68°F (9°C to 20°C) as the weather cools off towards the end of fall. This month is a good time to take advantage of the great outdoors in and around Austin, as most fall tourists have left. The weather is still pleasant enough to enjoy hiking, biking, and much more.
Although days are much cooler now, the chance of rain and overcast skies drop a little from the previous month, and there are more days with clear skies. Early to mid-November is the best time to see the fall foliage around Austin before the chill of winter sets in.
December
As the fall season comes to an end, winter sets in. December temperatures range from 42°F to 60°F (6°C to 16°C), and days are significantly colder than in November. Mid-day temperatures cool off, and clouds set in during December, moving to proper winter temperatures by the end of the month.
Christmas is right around the corner. December is a popular time for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the Christmas spirit in Austin. Days are likely to be cloudier, and there’s a chance of rain. However, the amount is usually less than in October and November. Christmas markets and events in Austin are abundant this month and generally quite busy with locals and visitors alike.
