Does it snow in Abilene Texas? Abilene is in northeastern Taylor County and is a good tourist destination.
Summers are usually quite hot in Abilene, but the good thing is that the humidity is on the lower side. Therefore, it is an excellent time to explore the great outdoors.
However, winter is also quite mild. It may get cold at times, which makes people question, “Does Abilene Texas get snow?”
Well, let’s find out more about that.
Yes, Abilene can get snow, but it is usually around 3 inches a year, which is a lot less than what you find in other parts of the country.
More about Abilene and Its Climate
Abilene, Texas, is known for its variable climate. It is very warm and muggy in the summer. There is a lot of sunshine, but occasionally severe storms will roll in.
Extreme weather, including tornadoes, is possible in the spring. However, reduced precipitation and humidity make fall a pleasant season.
While the sun shines brightly throughout the winter, a cold front can bring biting winds and temperatures.
Average High and Low Temperatures in Abilene Texas
It becomes quite hot in the summer and very cold in the winter in Abilene, Texas. Temperatures can be as low as 35°F and as high as 95°F.
Here is more about the average temperatures in Abilene throughout the year:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg Temp | 45°F | 48°F | 57°F | 65°F | 73°F | 80°F | 84°F | 83°F | 76°F | 66°F | 55°F | 46°F |
Summer lasts for about four months, starting from late May and going to mid-September.
During this period, daily highs will typically be above 88 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month is July, with average highs of 95 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of roughly 74.
Here is a bit about the high and low temperatures in Abilene:
| Months | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Avg Low | 35°F | 39°F | 47°F | 55°F | 63°F | 71°F | 74°F | 73°F | 66°F | 56°F | 46°F | 37°F |
| Avg High | 58°F | 63°F | 71°F | 79°F | 86°F | 91°F | 95°F | 94°F | 87°F | 78°F | 67°F | 58°F |
The shortest winters typically span around three months from late November to late February. High temperatures rarely get over 64 degrees.
Fact: In January, temperatures average around 35 degrees Fahrenheit and rarely rise over 58 degrees.
Does It Snow in Abilene Texas?
Abilene, Texas has a low chance of receiving snow, and that is mainly due to its weather patterns.
Even though you are likely to witness an average of 3 inches of snow throughout the year, it is usually not enough to cause any disruption.
In fact, winters are rather comfortable in the city, as the low temperatures rarely drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Here is how Abilene compares to the rest of the country:
| Climate Avg | United States | Abilene |
| Rainfall | 38.1 in. | 25.9 in. |
| Snowfall | 27.8 in. | 3.4 in. |
| Precipitation | 106.2 days | 58.7 days |
| Sunny | 205 days | 243 days |
| Avg. July High | 85.8° | 94.6° |
| Avg. Jan. Low | 21.7° | 31.5° |
| Elevation | 2443 ft. | 1719 ft. |
Fact: In Abilene, there is abundant sunlight throughout the year, and rainfall is infrequent and usually mild, occurring primarily in the late spring and early summer.
How Much Snow to Expect in Abilene Texas?
Abilene, Texas does not often get snow, although it can happen.
About 3–5 inches of snowfall per year is typical for the city. It might vary greatly from year to year, though.
In 1983, for instance, Abilene set a new snowfall record with 18.6 inches.
Winter weather can begin as early as October and last as late as April, with most snowfall occurring between December and February.
In fact, February is the month with the highest snowfall, with an average of 0.9 inches. May through September are often snow-free months.
Historical Snowfall Events in Abilene Texas
Abilene has seen some significant snowfalls throughout its history.
- A winter storm in February 2021 dumped 15.4 inches of snow over many days, with 9.3 inches falling on a single day.
- In April 1996, there was another significant snowfall, measuring 9.3 inches over the course of a single day.
- In more recent years, severe snowfall occurred in February of 2022 due to a wintry mix.
The record for the most snowfall in a season is 18.6 inches, set in the winter of 1983-1984.
Here is an overview of the top snowfall events in Abilene:
| Rank | Year | Snow (Inches) |
| 1 | 1983 | 18.6 |
| 2 | 1973 | 16.5 |
| 3 | 2021 | 15.4 |
| 4 | 1996 | 15.2 |
| 5 | 1958 | 14.5 |
| 6 | 1968 | 12.2 |
| 7 | 1956 | 11.7 |
Fact: February 2021 was one of Abilene's coldest months on record, with temperatures as low as 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where Can You Find Snow in Abilene?
Due to its location and mild winters, Abilene, Texas, rarely sees snow.
However, winter can still bring some light snowfall, which can blanket grass, trees, vehicles, and roads.
You must put some serious miles behind the wheel if you want to find additional snow. New Mexico and Colorado have the closest ski resorts, but getting there can take a lot of time.
Abilene is not home to any ski resorts, but the closest one is 9 hours away in Snow Creek, Missouri.
Fact: Abilene does not naturally get snow during the winter, but you can experience some at Christmas at the Farm and other holiday activities.
Factors Affecting Snowfall in Abilene Texas
Abilene, Texas receives about 3 inches of snow per year, on average, during the winter months. There are a number of variables that affect how much snow Abilene receives each year.
Geographic Location
Because of its location in north-central Texas, Abilene sees more snowfall than the state’s southern regions.
However, being west of the Piney Woods region helps keep it drier than neighboring eastern regions.
Due to its inland location and distance from the Gulf of Mexico’s moderating effects, the city experiences more dramatic weather and temperature changes than its coastal counterparts.
The city of Abilene is located about 1,700 feet above sea level.
Temperatures and freezing precipitation are typically more extreme at higher altitudes, directly affecting the snowfall.
Weather Patterns
Cold fronts from the north or northwest have a significant impact on the winter weather pattern in Abilene.
In the winter, the amount and nature of precipitation that the city receives are both determined by these systems.
Abilene, Texas, has more cold fronts and storms during El Nio, which can roughly quadruple the annual snowfall average compared to La Nia or El Nio-free years.
The pre-existing quantity of cold air is also significant. Ice is more prone to form when there is even a slight breeze of cold air. It is more likely to snow if the air is quite chilly.
Topography
Abilene is located on the more level side of the Rolling Plains, making it more susceptible to the effects of arctic air.
Abilene lacks the large terrain features that raise air and cause more snow to fall in other places, such as hills or mountains.
Therefore, Abilene does not get as much snow as other regions of Texas because of the surrounding flat ground.
Is Abilene a Good Place for Winter Vacation?
While you are not going to find snow in Abilene, there is still a lot to do in winter.
When late November and December roll around, the city becomes a dazzling winter wonderland with holiday celebrations and exhibits like Winter Lightfest and Christmas Lane.
Places of historical and cultural interest, such as Frontier Texas!, the Grace Museum, and the Abilene Zoo, remain open throughout the year.
Hiking and camping are available year-round in Abilene State Park, making it a terrific destination for nature lovers. This means that no matter your interests, you will find something to do in Abilene in winter.
When is the Best Time to Visit Abilene Texas?
The best times to visit Abilene are between the 5th and 6th of March and the 17th and 18th of September. These times feature less traffic and more pleasant temperatures.
Avoid the peak summer months of June, July, and August if you want to beat the crowds. Prices for lodging and transportation tend to rise during this time due to increased demand.
There are still discounts available, though, if you book in advance.
Fact: Keep in mind that November is often a slow month in terms of visitor numbers.
Takeaway
Does it snow in Abilene Texas? Yes, it does, but it usually stays below 3 inches a year.
Of course, there have been historical snowfall months with a significant amount falling, but it is quite unlikely these days.
That being said, you can still find so much to see and do in Abilene, especially when you visit during winter.
