In Texas, a large state in the south of the United States, the climate is continental in the northwest, where we find a plateau, and subtropical in the rest of the state. Excluding the Northwest, winter is mild, but brief gusts of cold air are possible. Houston is the most populated city in Texas and covers a large part of the Gulf coastal plain, where the terrain is mostly flat and swampy. Houston has a humid subtropical climate with long, hot summers and mild winters.
August is the hottest month, with temperatures ranging from 24 °C (75 °F) to 34 °C (93 °F), while January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 7 °C (45 °F) to 17 °C (63 °F), which is still pleasant for many. Extreme weather conditions are likely to occur around this area, with frequent tornadoes and hurricanes. For more information, see the weather in Houston and the guide to the best time to go. On average, this region receives between 20 inches (west) and 35 inches (east) of rainfall per year.
Central Texas is unique in its landscape structure, with its many hills, rivers and lakes, which make it vulnerable to flash floods. Their comparable “climate country” is Israel or Lebanon. Daytime temperatures during summer are hot, with maximum temperatures above 90% 80% of the time. Cold fronts can affect the area and, on rare occasions, nighttime lows fall to 50 degrees.
In these cases, warm winds return quickly, pushing the lows to 70 degrees in a few days. In very hot summers, the continental climates of western and north Texas can have the impact of keeping maximum daytime temperatures close to and above 100, especially with warm winds from the west and southwest. Most of the time, the moderating effects of the Gulf of Mexico limit maximum daytime temperatures, but cause discomfort with increased humidity. The all-time high occurred on September 12, 2000 with a temperature of 112 degrees.
The answer lies in the Panhandle, particularly around and north of Amarillo. Texas has recorded 98 degrees or higher every month of the year. Texas's historic highs from May to September are 116 degrees or higher. The coldest place in Texas is Stratford, in the Texas Panhandle, with an annual temperature of 55.0 degrees F.