How hot is Austin, really? Compared to, say, Atlanta, Raleigh or DC?
Jun 3rd, 2008, 05:21 AM
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How hot is Austin, really? Compared to, say, Atlanta, Raleigh or DC?
Hi. My husband and I are in the preliminary stages of considering a relocation, and the Austin area is on the list. I'm familiar with what summer is like in Raleigh and Eastern NC (hot and humid, with 90's and 90%+ humidity common for half of July and most of August). In recent years, I've lived in DC and been spoiled by generally lower humidity.
I know Austin is high on the sweat index, but how bad is it? We went to San Antonio in April when it was 90+ without high humidity, and it was toasty. If you're familiar with Austin and Atlanta, Raleigh or DC, could you offer some comparisons, please? Thanks!
I know Austin is high on the sweat index, but how bad is it? We went to San Antonio in April when it was 90+ without high humidity, and it was toasty. If you're familiar with Austin and Atlanta, Raleigh or DC, could you offer some comparisons, please? Thanks!
Jun 3rd, 2008, 05:41 AM
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You can find out everything you'd ever want to know about the weather in Austi (and just about every major city in the world for that matter) in the History & Almanac section at:
www.wunderground.com
You can get "average" weather statistics for Austin at:
www.weatherbase.com
Austin is in the middle of Texas so comparatively speaking humidity is lower than places near the coast like Houston. Summer can be dry and hot (triple digits happen often). But don't let talk of triple digits (numbers that the press likes to report) fool you. 30 or 60 days in a row with temperatures in the very high 9o's F. would make you just as uncomfortable as you would be if there were a few 100 degree days thrown in the mix.
In Texas people don't spend a lot of time outdoors in the middle of summer - you go from your airconditioned home to your airconditioned car to your airconditioned office.
On the other hand winters are generally very mild with only a few days where it gets really cold.
www.wunderground.com
You can get "average" weather statistics for Austin at:
www.weatherbase.com
Austin is in the middle of Texas so comparatively speaking humidity is lower than places near the coast like Houston. Summer can be dry and hot (triple digits happen often). But don't let talk of triple digits (numbers that the press likes to report) fool you. 30 or 60 days in a row with temperatures in the very high 9o's F. would make you just as uncomfortable as you would be if there were a few 100 degree days thrown in the mix.
In Texas people don't spend a lot of time outdoors in the middle of summer - you go from your airconditioned home to your airconditioned car to your airconditioned office.
On the other hand winters are generally very mild with only a few days where it gets really cold.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 06:05 AM
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Austin is not humid as hell in the summer, unless you're from a place that has low humidity. I grew up in Florida and that is what I call humid as hell. Austin can have high humidity days but on average the humidity is not bad at all. A typical summer day starts out around 80 degrees and then gradually gets hotter. It is normally breezy in the morning so that's the best time to go walking, etc. By around 2:00 it's pretty hot and by 5:00 you've reached the high for the day. I would take 100 degrees in Austin any day over 90 degrees (and high humidity) in Florida. I've been to Atlanta many times and believe me, the weather in Austin is much nicer.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 06:24 AM
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Coming from Huston I do not think Austin is humid at all. My family from California however thinks it is. So I guess it depends on the type of climate you are coming from. As for heat, yes the summers are hot, but the large trees and lakes make it bearable. I think it is a wonderful city.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 09:32 AM
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Austin and San Antonio are pretty comparable - both pretty hot in the summer, but can be very dry there, not as humid as somewhere like Houston. It's a wonderful city though. We have a lot of friends that live there and love it. Austin's motto is "Keep Austin Weird." It's a little more offbeat and liberal than other Texas cities.
Jun 3rd, 2008, 10:06 AM
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DD and SIL moved there a few years ago - and after spending the three summer months indoors except to go out and eat at night and listen to music - they left.
But they did say that everyone else seemed to love it and not mind the heat.
I think hot is hot. You really can't do much outdoors in any of it, so what difference does it make.
But they did say that everyone else seemed to love it and not mind the heat.
I think hot is hot. You really can't do much outdoors in any of it, so what difference does it make.
Jun 4th, 2008, 01:59 PM
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cabovacation,
"I think hot is hot. You really can't do much outdoors in any of it, so what difference does it make. "
There are a lot of things to do when it's hot, like anything involving water. Also, the evening's in Austin are awesome. Almost every restaurant has outdoor cafes, some with misting systems, which work great in the dry heat.
We eat outside on our deck almost every evening in the summer.
The lakes are wonderful, and the cold springs "Barton Springs" are ice cold so there's always places to cool off.
I much prefer Austin to humid climate cities, as there are fewer insects, and it beats any cold weather climate, as the weather 9 months of the year is outstanding, and there is no shoveling, and in cold weather climates I was always stuck inside for 4-6 months as I hate the cold. In Austin, I can do something all year. In the summer, the lakes provide the needed refreshement.
Activities for me are based on the seasons:
Winter to Spring: running
Spring to Fall: swimming
Fall to Winter: mountain biking/cycling
The great thing is that there are great runs in the winter/spring and great swims and triathalons in the summer/fall.
Even on 100 degree days, you'll see plenty of Lance Armstrong "wannabees" cycling on the roads around Austin.
"I think hot is hot. You really can't do much outdoors in any of it, so what difference does it make. "
There are a lot of things to do when it's hot, like anything involving water. Also, the evening's in Austin are awesome. Almost every restaurant has outdoor cafes, some with misting systems, which work great in the dry heat.
We eat outside on our deck almost every evening in the summer.
The lakes are wonderful, and the cold springs "Barton Springs" are ice cold so there's always places to cool off.
I much prefer Austin to humid climate cities, as there are fewer insects, and it beats any cold weather climate, as the weather 9 months of the year is outstanding, and there is no shoveling, and in cold weather climates I was always stuck inside for 4-6 months as I hate the cold. In Austin, I can do something all year. In the summer, the lakes provide the needed refreshement.
Activities for me are based on the seasons:
Winter to Spring: running
Spring to Fall: swimming
Fall to Winter: mountain biking/cycling
The great thing is that there are great runs in the winter/spring and great swims and triathalons in the summer/fall.
Even on 100 degree days, you'll see plenty of Lance Armstrong "wannabees" cycling on the roads around Austin.
Jun 4th, 2008, 02:03 PM
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I think hot is hot. You really can't do much outdoors in any of it, so what difference does it make
If you're in the sun, I certainly agree, but if you're in the shade, non-humid heat (like Palm Springs) is bearable to a much much higher temperature than heat plus humidity.
If you're in the sun, I certainly agree, but if you're in the shade, non-humid heat (like Palm Springs) is bearable to a much much higher temperature than heat plus humidity.
Jun 4th, 2008, 02:08 PM
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I grew up in Nebraska and now live in Fort Worth, Texas (just a ways north of Austin). I had the same question in mind before we moved here - how unbareably hot will it be? In all honesty, it does get hot. The only difference is that it's hot for a longer period of time. I was in DC last August and just about died - temps in the mid 90's. I'd trade a week of 100+ here for another day of that DC heat! And as a previous poster replied, air conditioning is a wonderful thing! 
Good luck!
Good luck!
Jun 4th, 2008, 04:39 PM
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I agree with trippin. Maybe not as humid as other cities mentioned but unbearable for the most part. (Last year was the exception. Mother Nature forgot to bring summer to Austin. It was amazing. that was the nicest in the 25 years that I've been here)
This summer has already made up for it. I think 3 or 4 of the last days have broken records of 100 and 101. That was still at the end of May.
Austin summer mornings are humid, then the sun comes out and it gets a little less humid. Shade and a breeze helps.
We spend most of the time indoors from Mid May to about mid September. However, if you are used to the humidity, perhaps Austin won't be so bad for you. Come visit in July and see what you think.
This summer has already made up for it. I think 3 or 4 of the last days have broken records of 100 and 101. That was still at the end of May.
Austin summer mornings are humid, then the sun comes out and it gets a little less humid. Shade and a breeze helps.
We spend most of the time indoors from Mid May to about mid September. However, if you are used to the humidity, perhaps Austin won't be so bad for you. Come visit in July and see what you think.
Jun 5th, 2008, 07:19 AM
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Austin,
I actually found last summer too humid, with the rain and all. It did keep our grass nice and green though.
It's been hot as of late, but very dry, so quite comfortable. To each his own I guess.
I actually found last summer too humid, with the rain and all. It did keep our grass nice and green though.
It's been hot as of late, but very dry, so quite comfortable. To each his own I guess.
