Texas, like other Gulf Coast states, is vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms during hurricane season, June 1 through November 30 each year. But this doesn’t mean you should immediately turn down a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast during those months, which include the summer season and the best beach days. In fact, some of the best vacation activities and events in Texas happen during this time.
Historically speaking, Texas has been less likely to experience a storm than its Gulf Coast neighbors like Florida. But if you’re planning a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast during hurricane season, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Regions of Texas
First of all, keep in mind that Texas is a huge state. In fact, several regions of Texas are practically states within a state. Of these, the Gulf Coast region is actually the only area that is severely affected by hurricanes and tropical storms. So if you plan to visit another region, such as the Hill Country or Piney Woods, you probably don’t need to change your plans. Just keep an eye on the clocks and warnings close to the time you plan to visit. If it’s a monster hurricane, it could rain on its parade in other parts of Texas, even if it degrades to a tropical storm.
Gulf Coast Vacations
If you’re planning a trip to the Texas Gulf Coast, the smart money is to take a few precautions. As your trip approaches, check the website for the National Hurricane Center. It will inform you if there is a storm in the Gulf of Mexico or anywhere in the Atlantic basin. If the storm is far out in the Atlantic Ocean when you start your trip, you can probably spend your Texas vacation without noticing a single drop of rain other than during normal storms. If there is already a tropical storm or hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico, take note of the projected track of the storm.
A storm that is forecast to hit the north or east coast of the Gulf, such as the Panhandle or the west coast of Florida, rarely threatens Texas or even affects its climate.
On the other hand, if a storm is projected to hit Texas or the northern coast of Mexico, you should consider it a threat. If you are on a road to southern Texas or northern Mexico, a trip to the upper or middle coast of Texas is possibly safe. Likewise, if you’re heading to the upper coast of Texas or Louisiana, a trip to Corpus Christi or South Padre Island probably wouldn’t be affected. But in all cases, you should monitor the weather reports before leaving for your trip, as storms can change direction and strengthen quickly and without much warning.
Alternatives
If a storm is projected to coincide with your travel time and reach your destination, you can postpone your trip or change your plans to another area of the Texas Gulf Coast. As a last resort, instead of abandoning a trip to Texas altogether, try making an alternate plan to visit the Hill Country, West Texas, the Piney Woods, or any other interior region of Texas. After all, there is a lot to see in the Lone Star State, and most are never hit by the force of a hurricane.
