Texas-Sized Weather on Route 66: Big Mike’s Guide to the Panhandle Climate
Howdy, Route 66 travelers, Big Mike here, comin’ at ya from the heart of the Texas Panhandle, where the Mother Road cuts through a landscape of wide-open plains and big skies. When you’re cruisin’ through this part of Texas, you’ll experience a semi-arid climate that’s known for its hot summers, mild winters, and the ever-present wind.
Now, the Texas Panhandle might be relatively flat, but that doesn’t mean the weather is uniform. We’re gonna take a look at three key Route 66 towns – Adrian, Amarillo, and Shamrock – to give you a feel for the subtle differences you might encounter along this stretch of the road.
Three Route 66 Towns, Three Takes on Panhandle Weather
- Adrian: This little town is famous for being the geographical midpoint of Route 66. It is 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles. Located at around 3,900 feet, Adrian experiences a climate typical of the High Plains. Summers are hot and dry, while winters are generally mild but can have periods of cold and snow. It is a must-stop for pictures.
- Amarillo: The biggest city on Route 66 in Texas, Amarillo sits at about 3,700 feet. It shares Adrian’s semi-arid climate but, being a larger city, can experience a slight “urban heat island” effect, meaning it might be a tad warmer than the surrounding areas. This is a great place to stop and see the Cadillac Ranch.
- Shamrock: Further east, at an elevation of around 2,300 feet, Shamrock is a bit lower than Adrian and Amarillo. While still semi-arid, it can be slightly more humid, especially in the summer. Make sure to stop and see the restored Magnolia service station and the U-Drop Inn.
Texas Panhandle Route 66: A Month-by-Month Weather Comparison
Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the average high and low temperatures (Fahrenheit and Celsius) and relative humidity in Adrian, Amarillo, and Shamrock, Texas:
January:
- Adrian: High: 48°F (9°C) / Low: 22°F (-6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Amarillo: High: 48°F (9°C) / Low: 22°F (-6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Shamrock: High: 51°F (11°C) / Low: 25°F (-4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
February:
- Adrian: High: 53°F (12°C) / Low: 26°F (-3°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Amarillo: High: 53°F (12°C) / Low: 26°F (-3°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Shamrock: High: 57°F (14°C) / Low: 29°F (-2°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
March:
- Adrian: High: 61°F (16°C) / Low: 33°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 58%
- Amarillo: High: 61°F (16°C) / Low: 33°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 58%
- Shamrock: High: 66°F (19°C) / Low: 37°F (3°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
April:
- Adrian: High: 70°F (21°C) / Low: 42°F (6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 55%
- Amarillo: High: 70°F (21°C) / Low: 42°F (6°C) / Avg. Humidity: 55%
- Shamrock: High: 75°F (24°C) / Low: 46°F (8°C) / Avg. Humidity: 62%
May:
- Adrian: High: 78°F (26°C) / Low: 52°F (11°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Amarillo: High: 78°F (26°C) / Low: 52°F (11°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Shamrock: High: 82°F (28°C) / Low: 56°F (13°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
June:
- Adrian: High: 87°F (31°C) / Low: 62°F (17°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Amarillo: High: 87°F (31°C) / Low: 62°F (17°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Shamrock: High: 90°F (32°C) / Low: 66°F (19°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
July:
- Adrian: High: 91°F (33°C) / Low: 67°F (19°C) / Avg. Humidity: 62%
- Amarillo: High: 91°F (33°C) / Low: 67°F (19°C) / Avg. Humidity: 62%
- Shamrock: High: 94°F (34°C) / Low: 70°F (21°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
August:
- Adrian: High: 89°F (32°C) / Low: 65°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Amarillo: High: 89°F (32°C) / Low: 65°F (18°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Shamrock: High: 92°F (33°C) / Low: 69°F (21°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
September:
- Adrian: High: 81°F (27°C) / Low: 57°F (14°C) / Avg. Humidity: 62%
- Amarillo: High: 81°F (27°C) / Low: 57°F (14°C) / Avg. Humidity: 62%
- Shamrock: High: 85°F (29°C) / Low: 61°F (16°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
October:
- Adrian: High: 71°F (22°C) / Low: 45°F (7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Amarillo: High: 71°F (22°C) / Low: 45°F (7°C) / Avg. Humidity: 60%
- Shamrock: High: 75°F (24°C) / Low: 49°F (9°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
November:
- Adrian: High: 58°F (14°C) / Low: 33°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Amarillo: High: 58°F (14°C) / Low: 33°F (1°C) / Avg. Humidity: 65%
- Shamrock: High: 62°F (17°C) / Low: 36°F (2°C) / Avg. Humidity: 70%
December:
- Adrian: High: 49°F (9°C) / Low: 24°F (-4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Amarillo: High: 49°F (9°C) / Low: 24°F (-4°C) / Avg. Humidity: 68%
- Shamrock: High: 52°F (11°C) / Low: 27°F (-3°C) / Avg. Humidity: 72%
Special Considerations for the Texas Panhandle
- Wind: The Panhandle is known for its wind, which can be strong at times, especially in the spring.
- Tornadoes: This region is part of Tornado Alley, so be aware of the possibility of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, particularly from April to June.
- Dust Storms: Dry conditions and strong winds can sometimes lead to dust storms, reducing visibility.
- Blue Northers: These fast-moving cold fronts can cause sudden and significant temperature drops, especially in the fall and winter.
Big Mike’s Bottom Line: The Texas Panhandle offers a unique slice of Route 66, with wide-open spaces and a distinct climate. Be prepared for hot, dry summers, mild but potentially cold winters, and the ever-present wind. Keep an eye on the forecast, especially during tornado season, and enjoy the big skies and friendly folks you’ll find along the way!
