Texas, with over 268,000 square miles contained within its borders, features several distinct geological areas, each with its own climate and weather patterns. There are, however, four generalizations that can be made: it is normally sunny; summers are usually hot, with the average temperature for all areas around 90 degrees for the summer months; the wind is almost always blowing, no matter the region; and the weather changes so frequently that forecasting remains a difficult task even with the latest equipment. The Gulf Coast area in southeast Texas features warm winters and hot, muggy summers due to the high humidity. Precipitation is almost entirely in the form of rain, and snow is so rare it is literally a once in a lifetime occurrence and even then...

Weather in Texas is only typical for the immediate area involved. Generally, summers are very hot and humid, except in the desert areas of west Texas. Winters are usually mild, but severe ice storms can arrive with little warning. Tornadoes and hurricanes happen with regularity, and native Texans know that just about any type of weather can be found within the state’s borders. Visitors to Texas during the summer months should opt for loose fitting clothing in lightweight fabrics. Due to the intensity of the sun, any exposed areas should be protected by sunscreen. Care should be taken to avoid heat stroke by drinking extra water, taking “cooling-off” breaks, and, when the temperature is over 100 degrees, remaining inside during the heat of the day. Air...

The major cities in Texas can be as far as 650 miles apart, or about the difference between Savannah, Georgia and Atlantic City, New Jersey. If one considers the variation between weather patterns in these two cities, it becomes obvious that many Texas towns have little in common when it comes to their climate. Houston, along the Gulf Coast, is located in a wet, humid environment. Summers are hot and muggy, but the winters are mild, with temperatures seldom dropping below 50 degrees. High rainfall levels have led to a population that values its umbrellas and lightweight raincoats. On the other hand, the Dallas/Fort Worth area is less likely to know in advance how severe winters are going to be. There are years when temperatures rarely dropped below freezing,...

In general, Texas weather has remained consistent for the recorded history of the state. However, extremes have also been considered “normal” for the area. Warm air from the gulf, colliding with cold Arctic air from the north, can lead to sudden outbreaks of severe weather. With few natural features to disrupt weather patterns, massive fronts can march unchallenged over vast portions of the state. This can lead to conditions that can change quite rapidly and make a lie of even the best meteorological forecasts. One such instance of radical changes occurred in 1933 in Clarendon, Texas, located in the High Plains area. The town saw a 75 degree temperature variation on February 6 of that year, going from a high of 69 degrees to a low of -6. Sudden fronts...

There are many ways to obtain reliable information on Texas weather. The National Weather Service’s website offers a map of the state, along with all hourly reports, forecasts, and climatic data. The site offers a great deal of information related to Texas weather and its history. Another valuable source for forecasts is Weather Underground. This site features current weather and forecasts by city. For conditions in North Texas, Longhorn Weather offers detailed forecasts, and Dry Day predicts precipitation for the next several months for the entire nation. When severe weather strikes, Texas residents are alerted by local television and radio stations. The two primary entry point (PEP) stations, WBAP-AM in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and KTRH-AM in Houston....