Best Time to Visit Austin: Weather by Season and What to Pack

The best time to visit Austin, Texas is spring (March to May) or fall (late October to November), when daytime highs are typically in the 70s and 80s and the patios, Lady Bird Lake and Zilker Park are at their best. Summer is very hot, winter is mostly mild but can bring a hard freeze, and flooding is the hazard to take most seriously in any season.

The numbers below are National Weather Service (NWS) 1991-2020 climate normals for the Austin Camp Mabry station, the city's official climate record. Normals are long-run averages, so any single week can run hotter, colder or wetter. Check the live Austin weather page before you pack.

What is the weather like in Austin by month?

Austin's average annual high is about 80.5 degrees Fahrenheit and its average annual low about 59.4, with roughly 36.25 inches of rain a year, according to the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. Highs climb from the 70s in spring to the high 90s in August, and the city usually gets only a short stretch of truly cold weather.

These monthly figures come from the NWS monthly normals sheets for Camp Mabry:

• April: average high 80.3, low 58.9, about 2.42 inches of rain.
• June: average high 93.2, low 72.9.
• August: average high 97.8, low 75.1, about 2.74 inches. This is the hottest month.
• September: average high 91.4, low 70.1, about 3.45 inches.
• November: average high 71.5, low 50.5, about 2.92 inches.

The months in between follow the same arc: May bridges spring and summer, and October cools steadily from September's heat toward November's mild days. Winter highs are cool to mild, with lows that can dip near or below freezing on some nights. Check the NWS Austin/San Antonio climate pages for exact figures for the month you plan to visit.

Is spring the best time to visit Austin?

Spring is a strong choice for an Austin visit because April's normal high of 80.3 degrees is comfortable for walking, swimming and outdoor music. It is also a busy and costly stretch, so book early.

Spring is the season for big crowds:

• SXSW (South by Southwest) takes over downtown every March with conference sessions, film premieres and music showcases, according to Visit Austin. Hotels fill and rates rise, so book well ahead or pick other dates if you want a quiet visit.
• Rodeo Austin runs for about two weeks each March on Decker Lake Road in northeast Austin, according to the official Rodeo Austin site, so it often overlaps with SXSW.
• ABC Kite Fest at Zilker Park is a free kite festival typically held in April, according to the official ABC Kite Fest site. The Exchange Club of Austin founded it in 1929, and the festival calls itself the longest-running festival of its kind in the nation. Check the official site for the current date.

Spring also brings thunderstorms that can turn severe, so plan for sudden downpours and carry a rain layer. For a full month-by-month event list, see Austin's annual events calendar.

Is summer in Austin too hot to visit?

Summer is hot but workable if you plan around it: the June normal high is 93.2 degrees and August's is 97.8, with warm nights in the low-to-mid 70s. Heat is a real health risk, so build your days around water and shade.

• Do outdoor activity early in the morning or after sunset.
• Swim at Barton Springs Pool in Zilker, where the spring-fed water averages 68 to 70 degrees, according to Austin Parks and Recreation.
• Watch the bats leave the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge at sunset. Texas Parks and Wildlife estimates about 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live there, and Austin Bat Refuge says flights from the third week of July through September have the largest colony sizes.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car.
• Carry water, wear sunscreen and a hat, and keep a light layer for air-conditioned indoor spaces.

Is fall a good time to visit Austin?

Fall is the other best window: the September normal high is 91.4 degrees, falling to 71.5 by November, and rainfall stays modest. Late October and November are the sweet spot for patios, hiking and live music.

October is the busy month. The Austin City Limits Music Festival fills Zilker Park over two weekends every October, according to Visit Austin, and hotels are scarce on those weekends. November is quieter, and it is the month we would pick for a first visit.

What is Austin winter like?

Austin winters are short and mostly mild, but an occasional hard freeze can shut down roads and strain power and water systems. Pack layers and a real coat rather than a heavy parka.

• November's normal low is 50.5 degrees, and nights get colder from December through February.
• Ice, not snow, is the usual problem. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, and drivers who rarely see ice can struggle.
• If a freeze is forecast, check your lodging's heat and water plans and keep a charged phone and a few days of essentials.
• Winter is typically the quieter season for hotels, though events still fill some weekends, so check official dates.

What are the weather risks in Austin?

Flooding is the most serious hazard for the Austin area, according to the City of Austin emergency management hazard risk index. The same City of Austin index ranks wildfire second and also lists hail, tornado, winter storm and extreme heat among the hazards it plans for.

Flood

The City of Austin says flooding can occur anywhere in Austin and is a threat across the whole city year-round, not only in creek floodplains. In the Greater Austin Area, 75 percent of flood fatalities are automobile related, according to the City of Austin. Never drive around a barricade or into water over a road. Turn around, and stay off low-water crossings and creekside trails during storms. Heavy rain upstream can raise creeks and rivers even when it is dry where you stand.

Wildfire

Wildfire is the second-ranked hazard on the City of Austin risk index, and dry, windy spells and drought raise the risk, especially where homes meet open brush and in the Hill Country. Follow local burn bans, never toss cigarettes, and keep an eye on conditions for any day trip west of town, such as Dripping Springs or Fredericksburg.

Tornado

Tornadoes are possible in Central Texas, mostly in spring. Know where the interior room of your lodging is, and treat a tornado warning as an instruction to go there at once.

Winter weather

Ice is the issue: infrequent, but disruptive. See the winter section above.

Heat

Plan around the afternoon peak and drink water before you feel thirsty. See the summer section above.

For all of these, use official sources: the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office and the City of Austin emergency management site.

So when should you go?

Pick by what you want:

• Mild weather, bigger crowds: April and early May, or November.
• Festival energy: March for SXSW and Rodeo Austin, October for Austin City Limits.
• Quieter hotels: winter, with a coat and a flexible plan.
• Swimming and bats: July through September, with a hat and a plan for the afternoons.

How we chose

This guide uses only NWS and NOAA climate normals for Camp Mabry, plus City of Austin, Texas Parks and Wildlife and Visit Austin sources for hazards and events. Where we did not have an official monthly figure, we describe the season in general terms instead of guessing a number. Events change dates, so confirm each on its official site.

What should you pack for Austin in each season?

• Spring: light layers, a rain jacket, sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes.
• Summer: breathable clothes, a hat, a refillable bottle, a swimsuit for Barton Springs Pool.
• Fall: a light jacket for evenings, closed shoes for trails.
• Winter: a warm coat, gloves, and a charged phone.
• Any season: check the forecast, never drive through floodwater, and book early for SXSW, Rodeo Austin, ABC Kite Fest and Austin City Limits.

Last verified: November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Austin?

April and November are the best months for mild weather: the NWS normal high is 80.3 degrees in April and 71.5 in November. March is busier because SXSW and Rodeo Austin fill the city.

What is the hottest month in Austin?

August is the hottest month in Austin, with a normal high of 97.8 degrees and a normal low of 75.1 at the Camp Mabry station, according to the National Weather Service.

Does it snow in Austin?

Snow is rare in Austin, and ice is the bigger winter problem. Bridges and overpasses freeze first, so check the forecast and road conditions during any freeze.

What is the biggest weather risk in Austin?

Flooding is the most serious hazard for the Austin area, according to the City of Austin emergency management risk index. It can happen anywhere in the city, and 75 percent of flood fatalities in the Greater Austin Area are automobile related.

When is SXSW in Austin?

SXSW (South by Southwest) takes place in Austin each March, according to Visit Austin. Hotels fill quickly, so book well in advance or choose other dates.