Does Austin really get 300 days of sunshine? (Commerce, Point: move, beaches)

[cub77cub]

Originally Posted by gigi927

I find Austin much more tolerable than Phoenix, even with the higher humidity levels. In Phoenix it is hot all day and all night in the 6 months of summer and it is not uncommon to wake up in the morning with the temps already over 100 degrees. Here in Austin it seems like the mornings are tolerable and the really miserable time is in the mid to late afternoon. My test is what outdoor activities I could do in both locations either alone or with my kids; I do way more here in Austin than I ever did in Phoenix. When your kid can't go on the playground slide at 7 in the a.m. because it will scald his leg...you tend to just hang out at the mall

We were trying to figure out why Phoenix and Las Vegas seem much more unbearable than Austin. I think that in these areas there is no cloud cover.
Therefore, the sun just beats right down on you. Lake Havasu in July? 127 degrees. Laughlin in July? 116 degrees.

[jread]

Austin is relentlessly sunny. It actually gets boring after awhile. I think it's good to have a mix of sunny/cloudy days to keep things interesting.

[casualobserver]

Derek, I'm not on the inside at NOAA, but I would not be surprised if the definition they are using is "virtual full blue sky", from sun up to sundown.

As you probably know, the term "partly cloudy" translates best to "mostly sunny" in practical terms. Therefore, most everyone is still going to get toasted on a "partly cloudy" day at the southern US latitudes........and there are obviously a whole bunch of these type days as well.

[IC_deLight]

Originally Posted by Tom Williams 9

Does Austin get that much sun?

Austin does get a lot of sun. Austin is closer to the equator than Los Angeles by about 4 degrees, if that puts it in perspective. However, when they say 300 days of sun, I often wonder if that really counts days when the sun is out and its raining...Certainly there are a lot of days where there will be a short shower that vanishes. However, you count them, there are definitely a lot of sunny days.

As someone that lived on the Gulf Coast for a long time and then lived in Portland, Oregon for a few years, I have to say that the lack of sun in Portland was noticeable and sorely missed after awhile. When "sunbreaks" make the news you know you are in trouble. If someone is moving from that environment to Austin, they may have difficulty in adjusting.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by gigi927

I find Austin much more tolerable than Phoenix, even with the higher humidity levels. In Phoenix it is hot all day and all night in the 6 months of summer and it is not uncommon to wake up in the morning with the temps already over 100 degrees. Here in Austin it seems like the mornings are tolerable and the really miserable time is in the mid to late afternoon. My test is what outdoor activities I could do in both locations either alone or with my kids; I do way more here in Austin than I ever did in Phoenix. When your kid can't go on the playground slide at 7 in the a.m. because it will scald his leg...you tend to just hang out at the mall

I'm glad you posted this Gigi! I was having a discussion with a friend who told me that Austin is miserable in the Summer and Phoenix is better because "it's a dry heat".

I spent a lot of time in Phoenix and the surrounding areas and I was pretty sure that the heat was relentless from 10 AM until way after it got dark outside, for about seven months out of the year. I spent time in Houston in the Summer and I don't remember it being as bad as that, and I'm assuming Austin is similar in weather.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by cub77cub

We were trying to figure out why Phoenix and Las Vegas seem much more unbearable than Austin. I think that in these areas there is no cloud cover.
Therefore, the sun just beats right down on you. Lake Havasu in July? 127 degrees. Laughlin in July? 116 degrees.

Another good point. Compared to Arizona and Nevada, I don't think Austin gets over 100 in the Summer, but I could be wrong about that.

[jread]

Originally Posted by ITChick

I spent time in Houston in the Summer and I don't remember it being as bad as that, and I'm assuming Austin is similar in weather.

Austin's weather is completely different from Houston's in my experience. Houston is much more humid and gets a lot more rain. Austin gets both hotter and colder, but is more arid. Austin also has much more wind (which helps). Totally different landscape and climate.

Originally Posted by ITChick

Another good point. Compared to Arizona and Nevada, I don't think Austin gets over 100 in the Summer, but I could be wrong about that.

We sometimes go for a month straight of 100+ temps in the summer (and no rain). It hit 112 one day in the summer of 2000.

[ITChick]

Originally Posted by jread

Austin's weather is completely different from Houston's in my experience. Houston is much more humid and gets a lot more rain. Austin gets both hotter and colder, but is more arid. Austin also has much more wind (which helps). Totally different landscape and climate.

We sometimes go for a month straight of 100+ temps in the summer (and no rain). It hit 112 one day in the summer of 2000.

Thanks for correcting my misconceptions. I guess Austin does get hot but knowing there's wind helps.

[gigi927]

Originally Posted by ITChick

I'm glad you posted this Gigi! I was having a discussion with a friend who told me that Austin is miserable in the Summer and Phoenix is better because "it's a dry heat".

I spent a lot of time in Phoenix and the surrounding areas and I was pretty sure that the heat was relentless from 10 AM until way after it got dark outside, for about seven months out of the year. I spent time in Houston in the Summer and I don't remember it being as bad as that, and I'm assuming Austin is similar in weather.

You're currently handling Chicago weather, so you'll have no problem in Austin. The weather is very unpredictable here, just like Chi-town!

[texdav]

Whwen it get 110 and above even if there is low humidity;that is miserable. The soles of your feet get hot on sidewalks almost like your not wearing any shoes. Also with such low humidity it is more dangerous.