Texas is a huge state, almost every type of weather condition is experienced here, sometimes several conditions all in one day. It is definitely a land of extremes. In the west, one-third of the state experiences cold winters and low humidity. The eastern two-thirds of the state swelters in sub-tropical weather with occasional cold fronts in the winter. The driest area of the state is the mountainous region west of the Pecos River. The wettest region is in the southeast. Most of Texas has summer-like conditions from mid-April through October. Blistering heat with relentless sunshine is common during this season. Extreme weather conditions include droughts, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes and hurricanes (along the coast).
Texas Winters
In winter, the southern parts of Texas rarely see temperatures below freezing. The upper half of the state experiences yearly snowfall with the greatest amount in the Texas panhandle. Blizzard conditions can sweep over these high plains, closing highways with fierce wind and snow. The winter months tend to be the driest for the whole state except for East Texas. This can lead to droughts especially if there is little to no precipitation. Droughts and the high winds can then lead to wildfires that spread rapidly.
Texas Summers
Texans experience intense heat throughout the summer. Most Texans must turn on their air conditioners during these months to avoid the effects of heat.Triple-digit heat is not uncommon during the hottest months. The extreme heat leads to drought conditions quickly.
Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms bring strong winds, dangerous lightning and damaging hail. These storms can happen at any time of year. Flash flooding is another real threat of these storms. When spring cold fronts dip south and encounter the warm moist air from the Gulf, thunderstorms form along the line of the advancing front.
Tornadoes
Texans see on average 130 tornadoes every year. These storms bring extreme dangers and plenty of damage in their path. Tornadoes can happen year round, but the most likely time to see a tornado in Texas is March, April and May.
Hurricanes
One major weather condition that threatens Texas every year are hurricanes. The Texas Gulf Coast is in the line of fire of deadly hurricanes from mid-summer through fall. These devastating storms come ashore with torrential rains, powerful winds, tornadoes, and a deadly storm surge. The coast isn’t the only area affected. As the storms move inland they bring flooding rains and strong winds.
Drought
Drought isn’t a specific threat to one area of Texas, but all of it. Texas temperatures skyrocket in the summer. When there is little rain, drought conditions follow, especially if the hot summer follows a dry winter. Streams dry up, crops die and wildfires rage in this challenging weather condition. Texas droughts tend to end with the rain associated with tropical storms.
Texas weather is always changing. Learning and appreciating the different weather types will help you better understand the different types of claims that can result from the vast array of weather types.
