Dallas, Texas Weather — Live Forecast & Climate Guide

What Is the Weather Like in Dallas, Texas?

Dallas has a humid subtropical climate with wide temperature swings — this is the defining feature that separates it from Houston and Austin. You can experience 80°F on Monday and 30°F on Wednesday when a cold front blows through. It's a city where you genuinely need both a winter coat and shorts in your closet.

Summers are brutally hot and long — triple-digit temperatures are routine from June through August, and Dallas averages 17 days above 100°F per year. But unlike Houston, the heat is drier, making shade and air conditioning genuinely effective.

Winters are mild overall but punctuated by sharp Arctic fronts that bring freezing rain, ice, and occasionally snow. Spring is beautiful but dangerous — the DFW metroplex sits on the southern edge of Tornado Alley, and severe thunderstorms with large hail are a regular occurrence from March through June. The NWS Fort Worth forecast office tracks conditions across the entire DFW metroplex.

For a deeper look at Dallas's climate from a newcomer's perspective, see our Dallas Weather & Climate City Guide.

Dallas Monthly Weather Averages

Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals. Dallas receives an average of 38 inches of rain per year — significantly less than Houston's 52 inches, with most rain falling in spring and fall.

Source: NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals (1991–2020), NWS Fort Worth

Is Dallas Hotter Than Houston?

Dallas has higher peak temperatures — averaging 97–98°F in July/August compared to Houston's 95–96°F — and far more 100°F+ days (17 per year vs. 4). However, Dallas's lower humidity (58% vs. 75% in summer) makes the heat more bearable. The heat in Dallas is intense but dry; the heat in Houston is lower on the thermometer but feels worse because the air is saturated with moisture.

The biggest difference for relocators: Dallas requires a real winter wardrobe that Houston doesn't. Dallas sees 20–30 freezing nights per year vs. Houston's 2–5. For a full comparison, visit our Texas City Comparison tool and Houston Weather & Forecast.

What Is the Coldest Month in Dallas, TX?

January is Dallas's coldest month, with an average high of 57°F and an average low of 36°F. But the real winter story in Dallas is the temperature volatility — Arctic cold fronts can arrive with little warning, dropping temperatures 30–40 degrees in hours. One day you're in short sleeves at 75°F; the next morning it's 28°F with ice on the roads.

Dallas sees 20–30 nights below freezing each winter. The record low is -8°F (February 12, 1899). Unlike Houston, Dallas regularly gets ice — freezing rain and sleet shut down the city 1–2 times per winter because North Texas has minimal ice-treatment infrastructure.

Does Snow Fall in Dallas?

Dallas averages 1–2 inches of snow per year, but it's highly inconsistent. Some winters see none; others get significant accumulation. The more common and more disruptive winter precipitation is freezing rain and ice.

Winter Storm Uri (February 2021) was the defining weather event for modern Dallas. Temperatures dropped to -2°F, the power grid failed across Texas, pipes burst in thousands of homes, and the region was paralyzed for nearly a week. While an event of that magnitude is rare (once-in-a-generation), it fundamentally changed how Texans think about winter preparedness.

For relocators: choose apartments/homes with covered parking (ice and hail damage are leading insurance claims in DFW), keep emergency supplies (see the Texas Division of Emergency Management for preparedness resources), and have a backup heating plan.

How Hot Does Dallas Get in the Summer?

Dallas summers are relentlessly hot. From June through August, expect daily highs of 93–98°F, with frequent 100°F+ days. Dallas averages 17 days above 100°F per year — more than any other major U.S. metro outside Phoenix and Las Vegas.

The "heat dome" phenomenon — where a persistent high-pressure system traps hot air over North Texas for weeks — is a regular summer occurrence. In bad years, Dallas can string together 20+ consecutive days above 100°F.

The saving grace: Dallas heat is drier than Houston's, and the city cools down more at night. Evening temperatures typically drop into the mid-70s, making outdoor dining and evening activities viable year-round.

Dallas Tornado Season

Dallas–Fort Worth sits on the southern edge of Tornado Alley, and severe weather is a serious concern from March through June (peak: April–May). What DFW faces:

• Tornadoes: EF2+ tornadoes occur in the DFW area every few years. The October 2019 EF3 tornado carved a 15-mile path through North Dallas, destroying homes and businesses.
• Supercell thunderstorms: These monster storms produce rotating mesocyclones, large hail, and damaging straight-line winds exceeding 70 mph.
• Hailstorms: North Texas is one of the most hail-prone regions in the U.S. Baseball-sized hail causes billions in damage annually. Covered parking is not a luxury in Dallas — it's a necessity.

Every Dallas household should have a tornado plan: identify your safe room (interior room, lowest floor, no windows), monitor outlooks from the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, keep a weather radio or smartphone alerts enabled, and know the difference between a watch (conditions favorable) and a warning (tornado confirmed or radar-indicated — take shelter immediately). For active warnings, check the NWS Alerts portal.

Best Time to Move to Dallas

If you have flexibility on timing, here's the relocator's ranking:

1. October — Dallas's best month. High 79°F, low humidity, beautiful fall weather. State Fair of Texas is in full swing.
2. November — Mild and pleasant (high 67°F). Fewer people moving = better deals on apartments.
3. March — Spring is gorgeous, but keep an eye on severe weather forecasts.
4. April — Warm and pleasant, but peak tornado/hail season. Plan around storm days.
5. September — Heat finally breaking (high 90°F). DFW sports season kicks off.

Months to avoid: June–August (extreme heat, 100°F+ days) and January–February (ice storm risk can strand moving trucks for days).

See our Dallas Moving Guide and Moving Checklist for complete relocation planning.

Dallas Allergy Season

The DFW metroplex consistently ranks among the worst allergy cities in America. The combination of Texas flora, changing weather fronts, and wind patterns creates a nearly year-round allergy season:

"Cedar fever" deserves special mention: Mountain cedar pollen peaks December–February and is so intense in North Texas that newcomers often mistake it for a cold or flu. Symptoms include severe congestion, fatigue, headaches, and itchy eyes. An allergist visit in your first year is strongly recommended.

What to Pack When Moving to Dallas

Dallas's wide temperature range means you need gear for both extremes — something most relocators from single-season climates don't expect:

• A real winter coat — Not a fleece. A proper insulated jacket for 20°F mornings. You'll need it 3–4 weeks per year.
• Layering pieces — Dallas has 30–40°F temperature swings in spring and fall. Mornings at 45°F, afternoons at 78°F.
• Lightweight, breathable summer clothes — You'll live in these from May through October.
• SPF 50+ sunscreen — UV index hits 10 in summer. Dallas sun is intense.
• Car sunshade + covered parking priority — Protects against heat AND hail damage.
• Waterproof boots — For ice/sleet days in winter.
• Emergency kit — Flashlight, battery bank, blankets, water. For both power outages (winter grid stress) and severe storm sheltering.
• Allergy medication — Even if you've never had allergies before. Stock up before cedar season (December).

Weather in Other Texas Cities

Comparing climates between Texas metros? Each city has a distinctly different weather profile:

• Houston Weather & Forecast — Gulf Coast humidity, hurricane risk, more rain, milder winters.
• Austin Weather & Forecast — Hill Country climate, cedar fever capital, flash flood alley, wildfire risk.

Explore Dallas

• Dallas Relocation Hub
• Dallas Neighborhoods Guide
• Dallas Moving Guide
• Dallas Moving Checklist
• Dallas City Guide
• Detailed Dallas Climate Guide
• Dallas Housing & Apartments
• Dallas Schools & Districts
• Texas Property Tax Guide
• Dallas Cost of Living Calculator