Houston winters... (Katy, West: home, purchase, living)

[prettywings]

I'll be relocating to Houston from Michigan in 2 weeks. I know the winters in Houston are nothing compared to winters in Michigan, but I was wondering whether or not I should bring my coats. I have 4 wool coats, 3 are fairly new, and I was wondering if I'd ever be able to wear them. Also, I was just online shopping, and I found the most beautiful trench coat, and was wondering if it would be a waste of my money to purchase it, or would I actually get some good use out of it.

What are the average temps like in the winter?

[HookTheBrotherUp]

You don't need fancy, expensive coats in Houston. Light fashionable ones maybe, but it does not get cold enough for coats. You won't have to shovel snow either, ever.

When it gets cold, you'll notice a phenomena here... all the Country/Western dudes will pull out their long coats that go to their boots, and wear a cowboy hat. Very outdated look, if it ever was, but I sitll laugh when I see these dudes pull them out, and it's not even cold enough for them.

Chicks pull out their boots, and wear them even when it is 70 degrees. Now, I must admit, they do look sexy on some women, no matter what the temperature, but when it is obvious it is not cold for boots, you do start to see the oddity of it.

[EasilyAmused]

Winter in Houston is a brisk, football Fall day in Michigan.

[westres1]

You wont need four wool cats...maybe one. I wear a wool coat two or three times a year. But I get cold when it is below 50

[chris_ut]

I don't even own a coat. 2 or 3 weeks out of the year I wear a pullover or a long sleeve shirt.

[Svensk08]

Winters in Houston are warmer than they were 10 years ago. Our first cool snap usually arrives in late November; chilly weather after February is rare. Day and evening temps seesaw up and down all winter long, depending on whether we have a cold front, or "norther". Sometimes you'll leave for work on a sunny 70-degree morning and when you go home that night, it will be raining, in the low 40's and dropping. Paying close attention to local weather forecasts is helpful in determining what to wear, and dressing in layers is essential.

It would be a good idea to keep one good, all-purpose warm coat for those times when you must travel in the winter. A trench coat - preferably water repellent - will come in handy here. A light windbreaker, too. Cardigan sweaters of all kinds, yes. A lot of women here have a parka or stadium coat with a zip-out lining for football games, outdoor activities, etc.

[ShelbyGirl1]

I get use out of my leather jackets in the Winter. Wool jackets might be a bit of a overkill here.

[Stephanie P]

I lived in Gibraltar, MI for a little over a year, I am now in Katy (outside of Houston.)
No, you do not need any type of heavy coat here. I was wearing capris and a short sleeve shirt on Christmas Day. Come to think of it, the same for New Years.
It is very hot & humid here, no winter season at all.
The economy is good and the cost of living low. Lots of shopping and places to eat.
Welcome to Texas!

[Redrover]

A stylish trench coat with a removeable lining would be the ideal for this climate.

[tstone]

I've never owned a "real" wool coat like you'd see in Canada. I do have a windbreaker that has an inner part that zips in for those ''cold'' days that stay under 40 degrees. Usually the avg temp is low-mid 60s in the day and low-mid 40s at night. All you really need is couple of warm layers tucked into your jeans with a light jacket and you'll be fine.