Does it Snow in Houston, Texas? The answer to this question is not straightforward as you thought.
Texas is well-known for many things, including its desert and scorching weather.
But that does not imply that every area of it is scorching.
Houston is one of the places you’ll visit if you travel to Texas.
However, does it snow in Houston, Texas?
The brief answer is YES, but it rarely snows in Houston, Texas. When it does, the accumulated snow quickly melts away due to its temperatures.
Houston is a city in the American state of Texas recognized for its vast petroleum industry, beautiful space exploration facilities, and world-class culture.
Several significant parks in the city, such as Memorial Park, Hermann Park, and George Bush Park, add to the city’s charm and allure to tourists.
Houston is the ninth largest city in the United States, with a total size of 1651 square kilometers.
It is also the nation’s fourth most populated city, having a population of 2.3 million residents.
In this article, I will answer in detail the question “does it snow in Houston, Texas?”
Let’s dive straight into it.
Does it Snow in Houston, Texas?
As previously mentioned, the answer is YES but on rare occasions.
Houston is not well-known for its snowfall. Snow is extremely rare in this area.
Every year, the city has a few days with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).
The average low temperature in January is 24 °F (4 °C). Even when it snows, it usually melts quickly, as evidenced by the light flaky deposit on the roofs.
However, there have been rare instances in Houston where considerable snowfall has occurred.
Climate of Houston, Texas
Houston is well-known for its subtropical climate.
Summers in the city are hot and humid, with temperatures averaging in the mid-80s.
Winters are moderate, with temperatures rarely falling below freezing.
Houston is a fantastic destination for individuals who don’t mind a little precipitation in the spring and fall.
August is the warmest month, with temperatures reaching 94.5°F (34.7°C).
The coldest month is January, when the temperature typically drops to 42.2°F (5.7°C).
Houston’s winter season lasts from December to February.
Rain, gloomy skies, and wind are prevalent during this time period.
During the day, though, the weather is normally temperate and pleasant. It can get below freezing at night.
When Does it Snow in Houston, Texas?
Having answered the question “does it snow in Houston, Texas?” Let’s look at the times of the year when the city does experience snow.
The winter season in Houston lasts from December to February.
Overcast sky, rain, and wind are common during this time period.
During the day, temperatures are moderate and comfortable, but drop to around freezing at night.
December
In Houston, the winter season begins in December.
Temperatures are warm and comfortable, ranging from 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17.2 degrees Celsius) to 49.6 degrees Fahrenheit (9.8 degrees Celsius).
In December, Houston experiences 0.1 snowfall days and accumulates up to 0.08 inches (2 mm) of snow.
January
Despite the fact that January is the dead of winter in Houston, it is typical to see people dressed in light clothing due to the balmy and comfortable temperatures.
Highs are 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (16.3 degrees Celsius) and lows are 46 degrees Fahrenheit (7.8 degrees Celsius).
Houston receives snow on 0.1 snowfall days and collects up to 0.04 inches (1 mm), while it receives rainfall on 11.8 days and accumulates up to 2.13 inches (54 mm) throughout the month.
February
As winter comes to an end and the city prepares to welcome spring, daily average temperatures rise.
Temperatures range from 65.3 degrees Fahrenheit (18.5 degrees Celsius) to 50.5 degrees Fahrenheit (10.3 degrees Celsius).
With temps like these, it’s no surprise that Houston gets the least snow, and often none at all, in February.
In February, the most major kind of precipitation is rain, which falls for 13.1 days and can reach 1.77 inches (45 mm).
History of Snow in Houston, Texas
As noted earlier, despite snowing rarely, the city does experience snow during the winter period.
There have been instances in the past where Houston has recorded significant amounts of snow.
They include:
- The city received 20 inches of snow during February 13 and 14, 1895, on Valentine’s Day. The snowstorm was tremendous, and it did not stop in Houston. Snow fell from Tampico, Mexico, Pensacola and Florida.
- For the first time in 30 years, the city experienced significant snowfall in 1929, receiving 2.5 inches of snow.
- Snowfall was also abundant in the 1940s, with 3 inches falling in January 1940 and 2.6 inches falling in January 1949.
- The city experienced its third-highest snowfall on February 12, 1960, when it received 4.4 inches.
- It snowed three times in the city in 1973, with an average of 2 to 1.4 inches.
- The most recent big snowfall occurred in December 2017, following Hurricane Harvey. It was the first significant snowfall in the area in eight years.
- The city experienced its first snowfall on November 13, 2018, and there was also snowfall on February 15, 2021.
What is the Best Time to Visit Houston?
Houston is a great city with incredible sites to see.
It features a number of adventure centers as well as parks.
Memorial Park, the Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and other attractions can be found here.
However, if you want to visit the city, the best time to go is between spring and autumn.
This can happen at any time between mid-March and mid-October in November. You might want to avoid the summer heat in this area.
Does Houston Experience Bad Weather?
Having answered the question “does it snow in Houston, Texas?” Let’s look at whether Houston experiences extreme weather.
The answer is YES, Houston does experience some extreme weather conditions such as floods, thunderstorms and tropical cyclones.
If you’re planning to visit Houston, I will advise you to first check the weather forecast before heading there for your vacation.
The summer temperatures can also be scorching and unbearable if you’re not used to them.
Take note of these conditions before heading to Houston.
How are Winters Like in Houston, Texas?
Winter in Houston is often mild due to its subtropical climate.
Winter period runs from December through February.
The sun shines relatively frequently, although there are times when it is obscured by clouds, rain, and wind.
Normally, the days are warm, but the nights are frequently frigid, with temperatures approaching freezing.
Even in the dead of winter, temperatures can approach or exceed 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
However, chilly spells with highs below 5 °C (41 °F) are possible.
Snow is unusual in Houston. In most cases, only a few millimeters of snow fall. Normally, it takes two or three years between one snowfall with little accumulation and the next.
The temperature typically falls just below freezing on the coldest days of the year.
However, more violent cold spells can occur from time to time, with temperatures dropping to around -10 °C (14 °F).
The most recent record is -14 °C (7 °F), set in December 1989. The temperature dipped to -10.5 °C (13 °F) in February 2021.
Fun Things to Do While in Houston
Houston does not have a skiing scene since the snowfall is insufficient to support a ski resort.
However, the lack of snow should not deter you from visiting Houston, as the city promises a variety of activities and attractions that will keep snow off your thoughts
Visit Memorial Park, Houston
Memorial Park is one of the country’s largest urban municipal parks.
The park is 5.9 square kilometers and includes a golf course as well as tennis, swimming, volleyball, and soccer courts.
There is also an arboretum and a magnificent botanical garden that will take your breath away.
Tour the Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is situated on the northern edge of Houston’s Hermann Park.
The Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre are all part of the museum’s four levels of natural science halls.
Several artifacts are on permanent exhibition at the museum.
The Foucault pendulum, which exhibits the Earth’s rotation; the Farish Hall of Texas fauna, which displays animals and fauna endemic to Texas; and the Lester and Sue Smith Gem Vault, which displays some of the most magnificent finely cut stones in jewelry are some of the exhibits that await you.
Explore the Space Center, Houston
Space Center Houston is a scientific museum that serves as the NASA Johnson Space Center’s official visitor center in Houston.
The museum spans 23,000 cubic meters in size and houses nearly 400 space artifacts and theaters, with a focus on the history of the human spaceflight program.
Three flew spacecraft and moon pebbles are among the relics on display in the gallery.
The museum also has the world’s only Space Shuttle replica, which is installed on top of an original shuttle carrier aircraft.
Other exhibitions include the Saturn V rockets on display in the Rocket Plaza and NASA’s Mission Mars exhibit, which focuses on future Mars missions.
Final Thoughts on the Question: “Does it Snow in Houston, Texas?”
Does it snow in Houston, Texas? The answer is YES as previously noted.
Despite the subtropical climate, the city does receive snow on some rare occasions during the winter period that runs from December to February.
Despite the absence of snow, there are several fun things to do while visiting Houston.