If you’ve spent more than five minutes in Fort Bend County, you know the deal. You step outside in July, and it doesn't just feel hot. It feels like the air is a warm, wet blanket trying to give you a hug you never asked for. Weather in Richmond TX is a fickle beast. It’s a mix of Gulf Coast humidity, sudden afternoon cloudbursts, and the occasional "Blue Norther" that sends everyone scrambling for a puffer jacket they haven't seen in months.
Most people look at the thermometer and see 95°F. They think, "Okay, manageable." But in Richmond, the thermometer is a liar.
The Humidity Factor: Why 90 Degrees Feels Like 110
The real culprit here is the dew point. Because Richmond sits just inland from the Gulf of Mexico, the moisture levels are often staggering. During the peak of summer, typically July and August, the relative humidity rarely dips below 50% even in the heat of the day.
This creates a massive gap between the actual temperature and the heat index. In 2026, climate data shows we are seeing more days where the "feels like" temperature clears 110°F. When the air is that saturated, your sweat doesn't evaporate. That’s your body’s cooling system failing in real-time. Honestly, it’s not just uncomfortable; it’s a health risk if you aren't slamming electrolytes.
Winter is Short but Moody
Don't let the palm trees fool you. Winter in Richmond is short, sure, but it can be erratic.
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Take January 2026. We’ve seen a "January Thaw" where temperatures hit the mid-80s, followed immediately by a cold front that dropped the lows to 30°F overnight. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac and local meteorologists, this 2025-2026 winter season has trended warmer than the 40-year average, but those sudden dips are what kill the hibiscus plants.
Historically, Richmond averages a high of 63°F in January. But "average" is a funny word in Texas. It’s often a mathematical midpoint between a 75-degree afternoon and a 40-degree morning. Snow? Forget about it. You might see a stray flurry once every five years, but it usually melts before it hits the pavement.
Rainfall and the "Flash Flood" Reality
Richmond gets a lot of rain—about 48 inches a year. That’s more than Seattle, believe it or not. The difference is that Seattle gets a constant drizzle, while Richmond gets the "everything at once" special.
- May and June: These are often the wettest months.
- October: Surprisingly, this month often brings heavy rain totals as the seasons shift.
- Thunderstorms: Most of our rain comes from convective storms. They pop up at 3:00 PM, drop two inches of water in an hour, and then the sun comes back out to steam everything.
The Brazos River is the lifeblood of this area, but it's also a source of anxiety. When we get heavy rains upstream in the Texas Hill Country, the river levels in Richmond can rise days later. If you live near the Downtown Historic District or the riverbanks, you’ve learned to keep one eye on the river gauges during a wet spring.
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Severe Weather and Wind Risks
We can't talk about weather in Richmond TX without mentioning the "H" word. Hurricanes. While Richmond is inland enough to avoid the worst of the storm surge that hits Galveston, the wind and rain are no joke.
The City of Richmond Emergency Management department frequently warns about "extreme wind factors." We've had over 100 recorded significant wind events in the area over the last century. Most of these aren't hurricanes, though. They’re straight-line winds from severe thunderstorms that can hit 60 to 70 mph—enough to peel shingles off a roof or drop an old oak tree onto a power line.
Tornadoes are a secondary threat, mostly between March and May. They tend to be smaller EF0 or EF1 types, but in a flat landscape like Fort Bend County, they have plenty of room to run.
Surviving the Richmond Climate
If you’re new here or just trying to get through another season, there are a few things that actually work.
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First, ignore the "high temperature" on your phone. Look at the Dew Point. If it's over 70, you're going to feel like you're breathing soup. If it's over 75, stay inside.
Second, the "Texas Sun" is a literal force. UV indices here frequently hit 10 or 11 in the summer. You can get a sunburn in 15 minutes while just walking to your car at the Brazos Town Center.
Lastly, prepare for the "Mud Season." Because our soil is heavy clay, it doesn't drain well. After a week of rain, the ground stays saturated and "squishy" for a long time. It’s great for the foundation of your house (if you keep it watered), but terrible for your shoes.
Your Seasonal Action Plan
- Spring (March–May): Get your AC serviced now. Do not wait until June when the repairmen are booked three weeks out.
- Summer (June–August): Water your foundation. The clay soil shrinks when dry, which can crack your slab. Keep a steady moisture level around the perimeter.
- Fall (September–November): This is the best time to be alive in Richmond. Enjoy the 70-degree days, but keep the hurricane kit stocked until the end of November.
- Winter (December–February): Keep frost blankets in the garage. When that one random freeze hits, the local stores will be sold out.
Understanding the weather in Richmond TX means accepting that you aren't in control. You just learn to pivot when the sky turns that weird shade of green before a thunderstorm. Stay hydrated, keep an eye on the Brazos, and always have an umbrella in the backseat.