At a Glance
- Austin’s hottest Christmas Day reached 90°F in 1955.
- The coldest Christmas Eve dropped to 12°F in 1983.
- The wettest Christmas saw over 1.5 inches of rain in 1975 and 2000.
- Why it matters: These extremes show how unpredictable Austin’s holiday weather can be.
When most people think of Christmas in Austin, they picture mild temperatures and a light dusting of clouds. But the city’s climate history tells a different story-record highs, bone-chilling lows, and surprisingly heavy showers. A deep dive into the National Weather Service archives reveals the most extreme Christmas weather the city has ever seen.
Hottest Christmas
The record-setting heat came in 1955, when the temperature hit 90°F on Christmas Day. That same year, Christmas Eve also reached a blistering 82°F, a record that ties with 1964.
- 1955 – 90°F on Christmas Day
- 1955/1964 – 82°F on Christmas Eve
Coldest Christmas
The coldest Christmas Eve in Austin history occurred in 1983, with a high of just 23°F and a low of 12°F. On Christmas Day, temperatures peaked at 25°F with a low of 10°F.
- 1983 – Eve: 23°F high, 12°F low
- 1983 – Day: 25°F high, 10°F low
Wettest Christmas
Austin rarely sees more than a tenth of an inch of rain on Christmas, yet several years broke that pattern. The wettest Christmas Eve was in 1975 with over 1.5 inches of rain, while the wettest Christmas Day was in 2000, also exceeding 1.5 inches. More recent wet events include 2023 (Eve, >1 inch) and 1938 (Day, >1 inch).
- 1975 – Eve: >1.5 inches
- 2000 – Day: >1.5 inches
- 2023 – Eve: >1 inch
- 1938 – Day: >1 inch
Snowiest Christmas
Austin has only recorded trace amounts of snow on two Christmas days. A trace fell on Christmas Eve in 1998, and a trace fell on Christmas Day in 1939. Neither event met the National Weather Service’s definition of a “white Christmas,” which requires at least 1 inch of snow on the ground.
- 1998 – Trace snow on Christmas Eve
- 1939 – Trace snow on Christmas Day
| Extreme | Year | Temperature / Precipitation |
|---|---|---|
| Hottest Christmas Day | 1955 | 90°F |
| Hottest Christmas Eve | 1955/1964 | 82°F |
| Coldest Christmas Eve | 1983 | 23°F high, 12°F low |
| Coldest Christmas Day | 1983 | 25°F high, 10°F low |
| Wettest Christmas Eve | 1975 | >1.5 inches |
| Wettest Christmas Day | 2000 | >1.5 inches |
| Trace Snow – Eve | 1998 | Trace |
| Trace Snow – Day | 1939 | Trace |
Key Takeaways
- Austin’s record Christmas heat reached 90°F in 1955.
- The coldest Christmas Eve dropped to 12°F in 1983.
- The wettest Christmas saw more than 1.5 inches of rain in 1975 and 2000.
From blistering heat to bone-chilling cold, Austin’s Christmas weather history proves that the city can surprise even its residents. Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering or just curious about the past, these records highlight the city’s unique climate quirks.
