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Best time to visit Austin: month by month
Short answer
The best months are March to May and October to November, with highs of about 24–30°C in spring and 20–28°C in autumn, wildflowers in spring and the bats flying from March. The trade-off is festivals: SXSW in March and ACL in October push hotel prices up sharply.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 17°C | 7°C | 7 | low |
| Feb | 17°C | 5°C | 10 | medium |
| Mar | 24°C | 12°C | 10 | very high |
| Apr | 27°C | 16°C | 14 | high |
| May | 30°C | 20°C | 15 | high |
| Jun | 34°C | 24°C | 9 | medium |
| Jul | 36°C | 25°C | 9 | medium |
| Aug | 36°C | 25°C | 13 | medium |
| Sep | 34°C | 23°C | 8 | medium |
| Oct | 28°C | 17°C | 10 | very high |
| Nov | 20°C | 11°C | 11 | high |
| Dec | 20°C | 10°C | 9 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 24°C in March to 30°C in May, with bluebonnets in the Hill Country. It is also the stormiest time, with 10–15 rainy days a month.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot: highs of 34–36°C and lows of 24–25°C. Plan swimming at Barton Springs, early starts and indoor afternoons; August has the biggest bat flights.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
September is still hot at 34°C, October cools to a pleasant 28°C and November to about 20°C. ACL and Formula 1 weekends are busy.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild days of about 17–20°C and lows of 5–10°C, with occasional cold snaps and rare ice storms. Quiet and cheaper, but the bats have migrated.
Events worth planning around
- SXSW music, film and tech festival (mid-March)
- Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park (two weekends in October)
- Formula 1 United States Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (autumn, usually October)
- Rodeo Austin (March)
When to avoid
Avoid SXSW and ACL weekends unless you are going for them, as hotels sell out and prices can triple. July and August are very hot, and outdoor sightseeing is hard in the middle of the day.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Austin?
March to May and October to November, with highs of about 20–30°C. Check festival dates, as they affect hotel prices.
When can you see the bats in Austin?
From March to October, at sunset; the flights are largest in August, when the pups join.
How hot is Austin in summer?
Highs average about 34–36°C from June to August, with warm nights around 24–25°C.