Midland, Texas Climate Guide

Overview of Midland’s Climate

Midland has a semiarid climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Its location in western Texas means it has an elevation of about 2,000 feet, which mitigates some of the extreme heat found in other parts of the state. However, summers are still very hot, with average highs above 90°F from June through September.

Winters are fairly mild, with cold snaps interspersed with warmer weather. Midland does get the occasional snow or ice storm during the winter months. Rainfall is sparse year-round, contributing to frequent drought conditions.

Summer Climate in Midland

Summers in Midland are sweltering, with average high temperatures of 94°F in June, 97°F in July, 95°F in August, and 89°F in September. High temperatures routinely exceed 100°F during these months.

Hot and Dry Conditions

The highest temperature ever recorded in Midland is 114°F, set in June and July of each year from 1990-1996. Triple digit high temperatures occur on almost half the days during a typical summer.

Humidity levels are usually very low during Midland summers, providing little relief from the heat. Dewpoints, a measure of humidity, average in the 50s°F from June through September.

Afternoon Thunderstorms

Midland receives the majority of its annual rainfall during the summer months. Brief but intense thunderstorms often develop in the afternoons and evenings, providing temporary relief from the heat. These storms produce gusty winds, dangerous lightning, and briefly heavy rainfall. Between June and September, Midland averages 1.5 to 2 inches of rain per month.

Flash Flooding Risks

The arid landscape around Midland often cannot absorb heavy rainfall quickly, leading to flash flooding risks from summer thunderstorms. Normally dry creeks and drainage areas overflow, causing property damage in low-lying areas.

Flash floods prompted the National Weather Service to issue 5 flash flood warnings for Midland in 2022.

Winter Climate in Midland

While winters are mild compared to northern states, Midland still sees periods of cold and icy weather from November through March.

Occasional Cold Outbreaks

Outbreaks of cold, Canadian air reach deep into Texas multiple times every winter. In Midland, daily high temperatures drop below 50°F on 15 days during a typical winter. Low temperatures fall below freezing on about 40 nights per winter in Midland.

The coldest temperature ever recorded is -11°F on January 11, 1962, though readings below zero are rare.

Wind Chill Risks

Brisk winds frequently accompany cold fronts moving through West Texas. This creates dangerously low wind chill values. For example, when the air temperature is 20°F, a 25 mph wind makes it feel like 2°F outside.

Prolonged exposure to low wind chills can result in frostbite or hypothermia.

Winter Precipitation Events

While snow and ice occur less frequently than in northern states, Midland still must prepare for winter storm conditions one or two times per season.

Snow and Ice Storms

On average, Midland receives 2 inches of snow per winter season. However, totals vary widely from year to year. During strong El Niño winters, over a foot of snow can accumulate from a single storm.

Sleet and freezing rain also occur when temperatures hover near the freezing mark. Ice accumulation over 0.25 inches paralyzed the city for several days in February 2021, causing widespread power outages.

Winter Weather Preparation

The city has over 30 snowplows and salt trucks to deploy for snowy and icy conditions. Still, drivers are advised to prepare vehicles with emergency cold weather kits in case of breakdowns or accidents far from assistance. The city also has numerous designated warming station locations that open to the public during extreme cold or winter weather events.

Winter Rainstorms

Midland averages less than an inch of rainfall combined from December through February. However, heavy rainfall events can still occur, which brings a risk of flash flooding and river flooding.

A series of heavy winter rainstorms in 2015 led to extensive flooding along the Colorado River downstream of Midland. Dozens of homes were damaged from the swollen river.

Spring and Fall Transitional Seasons

Spring and fall are transitional weather seasons, with shifting temperatures and an uptick in storm systems and severe weather.

Spring Temperature Swings

March and April experience big temperature swings in Midland as winter cold gives way to summerlike heat. The average last freeze occurs in early April, but freezes have occurred as late as mid-May during unusually cold springs.

Temperatures can swing 30 to 40 degrees from one day to the next ahead of the passing of fronts. High winds frequently accompany these front passages. Wind gusts exceeded 60 mph in Midland in 11 different months from 2010 through 2022.

Severe Thunderstorms

As humidity levels climb and cold fronts still push through the region, severe thunderstorms become frequent during March, April and May. These storms bring large hail, damaging winds, flash flooding and the occasional tornado.

Midland is located northwest of Tornado Alley, but still sees a handful of tornadoes per decade. An EF2 tornado caused significant damage near downtown Midland in May 2019.

Fall Cool Down

September and October still reach summerlike temperatures at times, but cold fronts become more frequent by late October. The first freeze and snow flurries usually hold off until November, on average.

Tropical Weather Threats

The western location of Midland reduces threats from hurricanes compared to eastern Texas. However, remnants of tropical systems can still enhance rainfall and flash flooding concerns across the Permian Basin as they dissipate and track north.

Over the past 30 years, the remnants of Tropical Storm Josephine (1996) and Hurricane Claudette (2015) brought tremendous rainfall and flooding to Midland in August and October respectively.

Average Temperatures and Rainfall by Month

Here are the normal high temperature, low temperature, and monthly precipitation averages for Midland, Texas throughout the year:

Month	Average High	Average Low	Avg. Rainfall
January	56°F	28°F	0.5”
February	60°F	32°F	0.5”
March	67°F	40°F	0.75”
April	76°F	49°F	1.1”
May	84°F	58°F	2.1”
June	94°F	66°F	1.5”
July	97°F	69°F	1.9”
August	95°F	68°F	1.9”
September	89°F	61°F	2.4”
October	79°F	50°F	1.8”
November	64°F	36°F	0.7”
December	56°F	30°F	0.6”

Midland experiences extreme variability in rainfall totals from year to year. In 2011, the annual precipitation total was only 5.37 inches. Yet in 2015, over 27 inches of rain fell in Midland.

Historical Extreme Weather Events

Here are some of the most significant weather events to impact Midland over the past 75 years:

10 Worst Winter Storms

1. February 2-5, 2021 – Widespread power outages during icy conditions with over 0.5″ of ice accretion
2. January 31-February 2, 1985 – 14 inches of snow fell across the region
3. February 8-11, 1960 – 10 inches of snow fell with -5°F wind chills
4. December 13-14, 1983 – 1/4 inch ice accumulation led to citywide closures
5. January 9-12, 1997 – Heaviest snow in 23 years – up to 16 inches recorded
6. February 4-6, 1978 – Second worst winter storm on record for Midland – 13 inches of snow
7. January 1-4, 1964 – Up to a foot of snow fell during 4 day storm
8. February 11-12, 2021 – Round two brought another 6 inches of snow a week after first ice storm
9. February 8, 2022 – Quick hitting snowstorm dropped 5 inches of heavy snow over Midland
10. December 23-24, 1987 – Bitter cold with -5°F wind chills accompanied 5 inch snowstorm

5 Worst Flash Flood Events

1. June 30 – July 1, 1974 – 6-12 inches of rain – Worst flash flood disaster in Texas history at the time
2. October 17-18, 2015 – What was left of Hurricane Claudette dropped 5-10 inches of rain
3. August 3, 1996 – Remnants of Tropical Storm Josephine flooded homes with
4. 7 inches of rain
5. August 3, 2018 – 6 inches of rain in just 3 hours inundated the Midland area
6. May 12, 2019 – 7 inches of rain combined with severe flooding along the Colorado River
7. Other Significant Weather Events
8. April 10, 2022 – 4 tornadoes (EF1 to EF2) tore across Midland County
9. May 17, 2019 – EF2 tornado with 115 mph winds tore a 15 mile path across the northern Midland metro
10. June 13, 2008 – Destructive thunderstorm winds registereds at 92 mph at Midland International Airport
11. August 3, 1964 – Possible tornado leveled oil derricks with F3 damage 15 miles west of downtown Midland

The semiarid climate of Midland makes it prone to flash droughts as well. In the summer of 2011, destructive wildfires burned over 300,000 acres across the region fueled by exceptional drought.

Preparing for Midland Weather Conditions

Midland’s variable and extreme weather poses risks from heat waves, winter storms, thunderstorms and flash flooding. Here are tips all Midland residents should follow to prepare for typical and severe weather hazards:

Heat Health Precautions

• Drink plenty of fluids and limit caffeine and alcohol
• Limit outdoor activity from noon to 6 pm in summer
• Check on elderly neighbors during heat waves
• Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Allow outdoor pets access to shade and water

Thunderstorm Safety

• Seek shelter indoors when you hear thunder
• Avoid using landline phones and plumbing fixtures during lightning storms
• Wait at least 30 minutes after last thunder before going back outside
• Keep emergency kits with flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies

Flood Preparedness Measures

• Know if you live in a flash flood prone area
• Have several ways to receive flash flood warnings
• Evacuate flooded areas and avoid walking or driving through flood waters
• Purchase flood insurance for vulnerable homes and businesses

Winter Storm Procedures

• Maintain emergency travel kits in vehicles at all times
• Bring pets indoors and ensure access to food and water
• Insulate exposed pipes and faucets outside homes
• Stay off roads during icy conditions
• Learn proper Generator safety

Preparing for Midland’s occasionally volatile weather changes will keep residents safe during storms and temperature extremes throughout the year.