Houston, Texas, rarely receives snow in December, but the possibility is not zero. The city is classified as having a humid subtropical climate, which typically means mild winters and high humidity year-round. This unique position on the Gulf Coast means the atmospheric conditions required for a December snowfall seldom align.
Houston’s Snow History in December
The historical record confirms that measurable December snowfall in the Houston metro area has been infrequent. Since official records began, only a small percentage of all recorded snowfalls have occurred during the month of December. When snow does fall, the accumulation amounts are typically minimal and short-lived.
One memorable December snow event happened on Christmas Eve in 2004, when portions of the metro area saw an accumulation of about one inch. A similar event occurred on December 7, 2017, when the city measured 0.7 inches of accumulation. The earliest measurable snowfall recorded in the city occurred on December 4, 2009, with one inch. The snowfalls in December 2008 and December 2009 marked the first time the city had measurable snow in two consecutive years.
Why Snow Rarely Falls in Houston
Snow rarely falls in Houston because it requires a specific alignment of three meteorological factors: sufficient cold air, adequate moisture, and atmospheric lift. The primary obstacle is Houston’s proximity to the warm Gulf of Mexico, which moderates temperatures and acts as a constant source of warm, moist air. This warmth often prevents temperatures from dropping low enough for sustained frozen precipitation.
For snow to occur, a powerful Arctic high-pressure system must track far enough south to deliver a deep supply of cold air. Even when this cold air arrives, the precipitation often starts as snow aloft but melts before it reaches the ground due to a warm layer of air above the surface, known as the “melting layer.” The storm system also needs a favorable track that allows a moisture source to interact with the cold air mass directly over the Houston area.
Expected December Weather Patterns
December weather in Houston is characterized by mild temperatures, contrasting with the conditions needed for snow. The average high temperature for the month hovers around 66 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average low temperature is near 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The city averages only about one night of freezing temperatures during the entire month.
Precipitation is common in December, with an average of around 4.3 inches of rain falling over approximately ten days. The weather is wet and sometimes cloudy, but the precipitation is almost exclusively in the form of rain. Residents should prepare for occasional cold fronts that bring brief temperature drops, but the overall expectation is for a mild start to the winter season.