If you’ve lived in Johnson County for more than a week, you know the drill. You wake up in a light jacket, sweating by noon, and by sundown, you’re checking the radar for a stray supercell. Weather for Cleburne TX isn’t just a forecast; it’s a lifestyle choice.
Right now, we are sitting in the middle of January 2026, and honestly, the atmosphere is acting a bit strange. Today, Wednesday the 14th, it's actually pretty pleasant. We're looking at a high of about 61°F with some gusty north winds hitting 25 mph. It feels like real winter, but not the "pipes-bursting" kind we all fear since the 2021 freeze.
The low tonight is dropping to 34°F. Basically, if you left your sensitive potted plants out on the porch, you might want to bring them in.
The Myth of the Static Texas Winter
Most folks from up north think Texas is just "hot" and "less hot." They’re wrong.
January is technically our coldest month, with an average low of 37°F, but that’s a mathematical lie. In reality, we bounce between 75°F "false spring" days and sudden cold fronts that make your teeth chatter. Tomorrow, Thursday the 15th, is a perfect example. We’ll see a high of 60°F under clear blue skies. It’s the kind of day where you want to go for a walk at Buffalo Creek, but you still need a sweater in the shade.
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Looking at the 10-day trend for Cleburne, things stay pretty dry. We have a modest cooldown coming Saturday with a high of only 47°F. If you’re planning a weekend BBQ, Sunday looks better—sunny and 58°F.
Why May is Actually More Dangerous Than August
Everyone complains about the August heat. Sure, hitting 96°F or 100°F for thirty days straight is exhausting. But if you’re looking at the actual risks of weather for Cleburne TX, May is the month that deserves your respect.
- May is our wettest month. We average about 4 to 5.7 inches of rain just in those 31 days.
- The "Steady Tone" is real. Cleburne operates 12 outdoor warning sirens. They test them every first Wednesday of the month at 1 p.m.
- Flash flooding. Because of our soil type, the water doesn't always soak in fast. It runs.
The City of Cleburne is pretty serious about this. They use the "Steady Tone" for more than just tornadoes. If you hear that siren and it isn't a scheduled test, it means there’s a funnel cloud, straight-line winds over 70 mph, or hail bigger than 1.25 inches.
Basically, if the sirens are wailing, get inside. Don't be that person standing on the porch trying to film the clouds for Facebook.
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The Weird Science of the Cleburne Microclimate
Cleburne sits at an elevation of about 853 feet. We aren't the mountains, but we aren't the coast either.
Our weather is heavily influenced by what’s happening at the Cleburne Regional Airport (KCPT). Pilots rely on the Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) there because wind shifts in this part of North Texas can be incredibly localized.
Sometimes it’ll be pouring rain over at Cleburne State Park while the downtown square is bone dry. It’s frustrating for gardeners, but it’s just how the moisture from the Gulf interacts with these inland dry lines.
Surviving the 2026 Humidity Spikes
One thing people often overlook is the dew point. In the summer, our humidity averages around 63%, but during those "muggy" stretches in June and July, it feels like you're breathing through a wet towel.
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The National Weather Service notes that our "perceived" temperature—what it actually feels like to your body—is often 5 to 10 degrees higher than what the thermometer says.
- Water your foundation. It sounds crazy if you aren't from Texas, but our clay soil shrinks when it dries out.
- Check your tires. The heat on the asphalt during our 95°F August days can cause old rubber to fail.
- Watch the UV Index. Even today in mid-January, the UV index is around a 3. In July, it hits 10+. You will burn in 15 minutes.
What to Expect for the Rest of the Month
The La Niña pattern we've been seeing is finally starting to lose its grip. For Cleburne, this usually means we’ve had a drier-than-average winter so far, which is exactly what’s happening.
Next week, we’re actually going to see a warm-up. By Thursday, January 22nd, we might hit 68°F. That’s nearly 10 degrees above our "normal" January high. It’s great for the utility bills, but keep an eye on your cedar trees—the "cedar fever" (allergic rhinitis) usually peaks right about now when the temps fluctuate like this.
Actionable Advice for Cleburne Residents
If you’re trying to stay ahead of the weather for Cleburne TX, don’t just rely on the app on your phone. Those apps often use broad models that miss the local nuances of Johnson County.
- Program your NOAA Weather Radio. Use the S.A.M.E. code for Johnson County (048251) so you don't get woken up for a storm in Dallas that isn't hitting us.
- Sign up for CivicReady. The city uses this to send out emergency alerts that actually matter to your specific neighborhood.
- Tune to 1670 AM. That’s the local Emergency Advisory Radio (WQGT206) for Cleburne. It’s old school, but it works when the cell towers are overloaded.
Keep your eyes on the sky and your jacket in the car. Around here, you’re probably going to need it by dinner time anyway.