Hurricanes and tropical storms
East Texas has a humid sub-tropical climate. The "hurricane season" takes place here every year between June and November - six months of the year under alert... The months most at risk are August and September, but hurricanes have been known to occur beyond these months, albeit very rarely. Climate change has widened the window of opportunity for hurricanes. The most devastating hurricane in Texas in recent times occurred in 2017, Hurricane Harvey, classified as Category 4. The metropolis of Houston was particularly hard hit. Hurricane damage can vary in severity, sometimes resulting in destroyed or damaged homes, loss of power, and possibly deaths and injuries. In 2017, a total of 82 people died, with 185,000 homes damaged and 9,000 destroyed. Damage totaled $70 billion. With climate change, the recurrence of hurricanes is increasing every year, putting these regions and their communities at greater risk. As a result, the Gulf region experiences fairly violent tropical storms, which can also cause major damage, such as the floods of 2021, which caused extensive damage in the city of Houston. By the way, scientists classify the Houston area as a subtropical zone (as well as the entire half of the state southeast of Interstate 35). Heat and precipitation are therefore ordinary. In contrast to a city like El Paso, where only 235 mm of rain falls per year, Houston receives almost 1,000 mm of rain per year. Paradoxically, the less violent the cyclone, the greater the risk of catastrophic flooding, as rainfall is higher.
Tornadoes
The other phenomenon unique to the region, tornadoes, develop mainly on the vast plains of central and northern Texas. The state of Texas takes first place for average annual occurrence, with an average of 139 tornadoes! It's also known as "Tornado Alley", which runs mainly through the states of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. Tornadoes occur when tropical air from the south mixes with colder air from the north. Usually, they are never very strong. However, in May 2015, numerous tornadoes accompanied by torrential rains violently struck the eastern half of Texas, causing a dozen deaths and unprecedented flooding in the region. Like hurricanes, tornadoes can get worse with climate change. In 2022, there were several hurricanes causing extensive damage. However, the deadliest tornado in Texas dates back to 1953, in Waco, where 114 people were killed and 597 injured.
The seasons
Parallel to these climatic phenomena are the cold winters of North Texas and the arid winters of Central Texas. Around Amarillo, for example, Texans experience cold, arid winters and devastating snowstorms. In contrast, Houston enjoys mild winters, with daily temperatures ranging from 10 to 20°C. The cold of North Texas and the Panhandle Plains is largely due to the region's altitude, rising above 1,000 meters.
Between March and May, daily temperatures vary between 15 and 21°C. This is also generally considered the rainy season, with refreshing downpours lasting several days. Dotted with flowers, the Hill Country becomes colorful, verdant and truly charming. At the same time, it's a time of tornadoes and thunderstorms, especially to the east and north.
Summer in Texas is an unbearable season for most of the state. It's incredibly hot and humid, especially along the Gulf Coast and in the southern regions. Temperatures vary from 30 to 35°C during the day, rising to around 38°C in July and August. Unless you're on the coast (in which case you'll be swimming frequently in the Gulf), plan to spend every day in a pool, lake or river. The highest temperature ever recorded in Texas was 49°C in 1994, and the coldest was -31°C in 1933. In general, we recommend that you avoid spending the summer in Texas. In 2023, Texas experienced one of its most severe heat waves, with temperatures exceeding 45°C during the day. The humid regions of the Gulf of Mexico become particularly unbearable, the humidity making the heat all the more heavy and oppressive. This type of heatwave often becomes dangerous, especially for the elderly, and most residents end up spending entire days indoors, in air-conditioned rooms, without going outside. Fortunately, air conditioning is a common resource in Texas! Unfortunately, these heat waves have also led to a few forest fires, notably in the Hill Country around Austin, destroying some homes.
Autumn is one of the best seasons to visit Texas. Between September and December, Texas remains sunny and cool. In October, temperatures rise to around 25°C. It's a good time to visit Piney Woods or the Hill Country. November remains temperate across most of the state, while December sees a big drop in temperatures.
Climate change
Climate change is having a major impact on the state of Texas, not least because of its vulnerable position to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Since 2016, the majority of the state has seen its temperature rise by 0.83 C° due to greenhouse gases. Sea levels are expected to rise, accompanied by an increase in devastating weather events, threatening regions such as Galveston with extinction. In terms of heat, the year 2023 brought a dangerous heatwave to Texas during the summer months, heat that is likely to recur in years to come. Unfortunately, the Republican politics of the Texan government don't make things any easier, often taking a position of denial in the face of the realities of climate change.
