Houston Halloween heat: Data shows a 4.5 degree rise in October highs

The temperature at a St. Andrew's Episcopal Church pumpkin patch in Pearland reached nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit on a recent Friday afternoon. Volunteers rang up customers while children played in the warm air. Some kids wore shorts and T-shirts, but others, like 7-year-old Leonardo Reyes, wore full costumes. His sister, 3-year-old Lorelei, dressed as Elsa from Frozen. Their mother, Mary Reyes, noted that she did not need a jacket for Halloween when she was growing up in Houston.

Reyes explained that her family now tries to avoid costumes with long sleeves to stay comfortable. She said they hope it is not too hot on Halloween Day, but they make the best of the weather. Her experience aligns with a clear pattern in local weather data. The average high temperature on October 31 has risen over the last century. According to National Weather Service data, the 30-year average high from 1889 to 1918 was about 74.5 degrees. The average for the 1996 to 2025 period is about 79 degrees.

Eric Berger, a meteorologist with Space City Weather, analyzed the city's temperature records. He identified the urban heat island effect as a primary driver of the warming trend. Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas because they contain more buildings and pavement and less vegetation. However, Berger said climate change is also a factor. He pointed to Galveston as an example where the urban heat island effect plays a smaller role, yet warming is still noticeable.

National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration data shows that Houston's average fall temperatures have increased by about 4.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970. Shel Winkley, a chief meteorologist with Climate Central, said the city's last day of 90-degree weather used to occur around October 5. He reported that this date has shifted to around October 19 or 20 on average. Winkley noted that other major Texas cities, including Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, have also seen average fall temperatures rise by about 4 degrees Fahrenheit since the 1970s.

Winkley recalled carving pumpkins with his children on the weekend before Halloween last year. He said the heat caused the pumpkins to rot and shrivel before the holiday arrived. Back in Pearland, the warm weather did not stop visitors from shopping. Jenny Calles, who brings her grandchildren to the patch every year, carried several shopping bags through a craft fair. She sold handmade soap, baked goods, and jewelry. Calles said she has to go inside to cool off and feels for the workers in the heat.

David Carrillo, a Pasadena native, took photos with his girlfriend by decorative bales of hay. He compared the current weather to his childhood Halloweens. He said the weather is a little bit more drastic now. For many Houstonians, October still offers some relief from the hot, muggy days of summer. Reyes said her family is excited for Halloween and the prospect of fall weather. She noted that they are always hoping for that change from the summer heat.

The shift in temperature patterns has altered how residents prepare for the holiday. Families are adjusting their clothing choices and expectations for the weather. The data indicates a consistent rise in fall temperatures across the region. This trend is supported by both local observations and long-term meteorological records.