North Central Texas ClimateNorth Central Texas is approximately 250 miles (400 km) north of the Gulf of Mexico. It includes the headwaters of the Trinity River, which lie in the upper margins of the Coastal Plain. Elevation of the area's rolling hills range from 500 to 800 feet (150 to 240 m) above sea level.
The climate is humid-subtropical with hot summers. It is also continental, characterized by a wide annual temperature range. Precipitation also varies considerably, ranging from less than 20" to more than 50".
Winters are mild but "blue-northers" occur about three times each winter month. These events are typically accompanied by precipitous drops in temperature. Periods of extreme cold occasionally occur but are short-lived so that even in January mild weather frequently occurs.
The highest temperatures of summer are associated with fair skies, westerly winds, and low humidity. Characteristically, hot spells in summer are broken into three-to-five day periods by thunderstorm activity except during el-Niño years. There are only a few nights each summer when the low temperature exceeds 80°F. Summer daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100°F. Average high and low temperatures range from 37°F in January to 98°F in August.
Throughout the year, rainfall occurs more frequently during the night. Usually, periods of rainy weather last for only a day or two, and are followed by several days with fair skies. A large part of the annual precipitation results from thunderstorm activity, with occasional heavy rainfall over brief periods of time. Thunderstorms occur throughout the year, but are most frequent in the spring. Hail falls on about two or three days a year, ordinarily with only slight and scattered damage. Windstorms occurring during thunderstorm activity are sometimes destructive. Snowfall is rare.
The average length of the warm seasons (freeze-free period) is about 249 days, or about 8.3 months. The average last occurrence of 32°F or below is mid-March, and the average first occurrence of 32°F or below is in late November.
- D.G. Pierson
Climate & Weather Facts
Average annual days of sunshine: 137
Average annual rainfall: 33.7 inches
Average temperature: 65.4 ° F.
Average low temperature: 54.6 ° F.
Average high temperature: 76.3 ° F.
All time Maximum High temperature
115 ° F. link
All time minimum temperature
-13 ° F. link
North Central Texas Climatology
Average Max/Min Temperature,
Avg Daily Rain for 1961-1990
Monthly and Annual Avg Temp
Monthly and Annual Precipitation
The Climate Of Dallas Ft. Worth
Impact of Texas Climate
