Austin's Valentine's Day Weather: A Wild Ride Through History

Ah, Valentine's Day in Austin! When thoughts turn to flowers, chocolates, and perhaps a romantic evening out. But if there's one thing you can count on in Central Texas, it's that the weather often has a mind of its own. Over the years, Cupid's arrow has landed on days that were anything but predictable, giving us a truly wild ride through meteorological extremes. Let's take a little stroll down memory lane, shall we, and revisit some of Austin's most memorable February 14ths?

First up, the heat! Can you even imagine celebrating Valentine's Day in nearly 90-degree weather? Well, that's exactly what happened back in 1986, when the mercury soared to an astonishing 89°F. Talk about feeling more like late spring than mid-February! Forget cozy firesides; folks were probably planning picnics and outdoor strolls. It truly stands out as an anomalous day. Other remarkably warm Valentine's Days included 1959, which hit a balmy 87°F, and 1904, just a degree shy at 86°F. A T-shirt Valentine's, wouldn't you say?

Now, let's swing to the complete opposite end of the spectrum: the bitter cold. Our coldest Valentine's Day on record transports us way back to 1895, when Austin shivered through a bone-chilling 11°F. Eleven degrees! That's not just cold for Austin; that's downright Arctic for Texas. Definitely a day for snuggling indoors with a hot beverage and your sweetheart, if ever there was one. Other years that delivered a serious winter's bite included 1905, dropping to a frigid 17°F, and both 1909 and 1958, which saw temperatures plummet to a brisk 19°F. Quite the contrast to those scorching days, right?

But what about when the skies opened up? A soggy Valentine's Day isn't exactly ideal for outdoor romance, yet it's happened. The wettest February 14th in Austin's recorded history belongs to 1946, when a significant 1.13 inches of rain fell. Imagine trying to keep your romantic dinner plans dry on that particular day! We've had other notable downpours too, with 1914 bringing 0.80 inches and 2008 adding 0.64 inches. Sometimes, love truly does have to weather the storm, quite literally!

And then there's the truly rare, almost magical occurrence: snow on Valentine's Day. In a city where snow is often just a fleeting rumor, seeing it on a day dedicated to hearts and flowers is something special. The snowiest Valentine's Day goes to 1902, which saw a delightful 1.5 inches accumulate. A genuine winter wonderland, if only for a short while! Other years, like 1958 and 2004, recorded just a trace of snow – enough to make you look twice, but not quite enough for a proper snowball fight. It’s always such a novelty when it happens, adding an extra layer of enchantment to the day.

So, whether you're hoping for a balmy evening under the stars or a cozy night in, Austin's Valentine's Day weather history reminds us that you just never quite know what meteorological surprise Cupid has in store. From nearly 90 degrees to bone-chilling single digits, and everything from deluges to a rare dusting of snow, our city's climate certainly keeps things interesting. Here's to hoping your Valentine's Day, whatever the weather, is absolutely lovely!