Visiting Austin in summer, or worried about the power going out? Here are the two things to prepare for. First, the heat is no joke. July and August routinely hit 100 degrees or more, the humidity pushes the heat index higher still, and visitors regularly underestimate it. Drink water constantly, take shade and air-conditioning breaks, and learn the signs of heat exhaustion. Second, the power does sometimes fail, usually from summer storms straining the Texas grid and, rarely but severely, from winter freezes, as in February 2021 when millions lost power for days. If the lights go out, check the Austin Energy outage map, stay cool or warm safely, and never run a generator or a grill indoors.
That is the short version. Below is the full guide to how hot it really gets, staying safe in the heat, where to cool off, why the grid struggles, and exactly what to do in an outage.
This guide is general information from a longtime Austin resident, gathered from the City of Austin and public reporting cited throughout. It is not medical advice. In a medical emergency, including suspected heat stroke, call 911. Last updated July 2026.
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How Hot It Really Gets
Austin summers are long and genuinely extreme. The worst of it lands in July and August, when daily highs commonly reach the upper 90s and cross 100 degrees, and forecasters have predicted an above-average number of 100-degree days for 2026. Add the humidity and the heat index, or the feels-like temperature, can climb well into the 100s and beyond. The overnight lows stay in the mid-70s, so the city barely cools off after dark.
The season stretches from roughly May into October, with September still routinely hot. If you are coming from a cooler or drier climate, take it seriously from day one, because visitors and new arrivals are exactly the people who get caught out.
Staying Safe in the Heat
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The basics prevent almost every problem. Drink water constantly, more than you think you need, and do not wait until you are thirsty. Plan outdoor activities for the morning or evening and retreat indoors in the mid-afternoon. Wear light, loose, light-colored clothing, a brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and take regular shade and air-conditioning breaks. Never leave a child or pet in a parked car, where temperatures turn deadly in minutes.
Know the difference between the two heat illnesses, because one is an emergency.
| Condition | Signs | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Heat exhaustion | Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, cool clammy skin | Move to shade or AC, sip water, loosen clothing, cool the skin, rest. Seek care if it does not improve. |
| Heat stroke | Very high body temperature, confusion, hot skin, fainting, sometimes no sweating | A medical emergency. Call 911, move the person to cool, and cool them aggressively while you wait. |
Where to Cool Off
Austin is built for beating the heat once you know where to go. Hotel pools and the spring-fed swimming holes are the classic escape, and the water at places like Barton Springs stays cool all summer. Air-conditioned museums, malls, and restaurants give a midday break, and the city and county open cooling centers during the hottest stretches, including public library branches and recreation centers during their normal hours. For the best places to get in the water, see our guides to swimming holes near Austin and hotel pool day passes.
Why the Power Sometimes Goes Out
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Texas runs its own electric grid, managed by an operator known as ERCOT, largely separate from the rest of the country. In the depths of summer, record demand from air conditioning can strain that grid, and you will sometimes hear public appeals to conserve power during heat waves. Severe thunderstorms also knock out local power lines, causing scattered outages that Austin Energy works to restore. Most outages are short and local, but the grid’s limits are a real feature of life here.
The 2021 Freeze, and Why It Matters
The worst-case scenario in Austin is not summer, it is a hard winter freeze. In February 2021, Winter Storm Uri sent temperatures into the single digits and overwhelmed the grid, leaving more than 4.5 million Texas homes and businesses without power, many for days, with Austin among the hardest-hit metros. The failure was linked to hundreds of deaths statewide. The grid has since seen changes, and a normal Austin winter is mild, but a severe freeze remains the event most likely to cause a long, dangerous outage. If you visit in winter, it is worth knowing the risk exists, and worth reading up on the season’s other surprise in our cedar fever guide.
What to Do in an Outage
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Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove indoors or in a garage. Many deaths in the 2021 freeze came from carbon monoxide poisoning as people tried to heat or power their homes with grills and car engines in enclosed spaces. Carbon monoxide is invisible and deadly. Keep all fuel-burning devices outside and well away from windows.
- Check the Austin Energy outage map to see whether it is widespread or just your building, and to report your outage and get restoration updates.
- In summer heat, get to cool air. A large hotel often keeps common areas running on backup power, and cooling centers, malls, and libraries offer relief if your room loses air conditioning. Drink water and watch for heat illness.
- In a winter freeze, layer up and stay together in one room to conserve heat, and drip faucets to help prevent pipes from bursting if you are in a home.
- Keep phones charged when power is on, keep a flashlight handy rather than candles, and have some water and non-perishable food if a big storm is forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does Austin get in summer?
Very hot. July and August highs commonly reach the upper 90s and cross 100 degrees, and the humidity pushes the feels-like temperature higher. Overnight lows stay in the mid-70s, so it barely cools off. The hot season runs roughly May through October, with September still warm.
Does the power go out often in Austin?
Most outages are short and local, often from summer storms. The Texas grid can also strain under record summer demand, prompting conservation appeals. The rare but severe risk is a hard winter freeze, like February 2021, which caused days-long outages across the region.
What are the signs of heat stroke?
Very high body temperature, confusion, hot skin, fainting, and sometimes a lack of sweating. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911, move the person to a cool place, and cool them aggressively while you wait. Heat exhaustion, with heavy sweating and dizziness, is less severe but still needs rest, water, and cooling.
How do I report or track a power outage in Austin?
Use the Austin Energy outage map, which lets you report an outage and see restoration updates and whether it is widespread or just your building. During an outage, never run a generator or grill indoors, because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Sources
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- City of Austin, Beating the Heat in Central Texas (heat safety, cooling centers)
- Austin Energy (outage map and reporting)
- 2021 Texas power crisis (Winter Storm Uri) overview
