Austin (KAUS) Temperature Market Guide

KAUS • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Kalshi IBKR Robinhood

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (KAUS) provides a dynamic Texas temperature market available on both Kalshi and ForecastEx. Located in Central Texas at the edge of the Hill Country, Austin experiences hot summers, mild winters, and dramatic temperature swings from passing cold fronts. The market offers substantial volatility and is known for extended periods of extreme heat during summer.

Quick Facts

Station Code KAUS
Location Austin, TX
Coordinates 30.2099°N, 97.6806°W
Elevation 542 ft (165 m)
Timezone CT (America/Chicago)
NWS Office Austin/San Antonio (EWX)
Resolution Source NWS CLI Report ↗

About the KAUS Weather Station

The KAUS ASOS is located at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport on the site of the former Bergstrom Air Force Base. Positioned in southeastern Travis County at 542 feet elevation, the station sits on the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country.

The airport's location is somewhat lower in elevation than central Austin, which sits on the Balcones Escarpment. This can lead to modest temperature differences between the airport and downtown. The terrain to the west rises into the Hill Country, while the land to the east gradually descends toward the Gulf Coastal Plain.

Austin Climate & Temperature Patterns

Austin experiences a humid subtropical climate (Koppen: Cfa) with hot summers and mild winters. The city sits at the ecological transition between the Gulf Coastal Plain to the east and the Edwards Plateau (Hill Country) to the west.

Key Climate Factors:

Summer Heat: Austin is known for prolonged, intense summer heat. The city averages 105 days per year with highs at or above 90°F and about 15-20 days at or above 100°F. Extended heat waves with consecutive 100°F+ days are common.

Cold Front Volatility: Central Texas lies in "frontal battleground" territory where polar air masses clash with Gulf moisture. Cold fronts can drop temperatures 30-40°F in a matter of hours, creating significant trading opportunities.

Gulf Moisture Influence: Southerly winds off the Gulf of Mexico bring moisture that affects cloud development and can moderate temperatures. Conversely, northerly winds bring drier air that allows temperatures to climb more efficiently.

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Seasonal Trading Considerations

Winter (December - February):
Highly variable temperatures driven by the frequency and intensity of cold fronts. Highs can range from the 40s°F immediately after strong cold fronts to the 70s or even 80s°F during warm spells. Ice storms, though infrequent, can occur when cold air undercuts moisture surging from the Gulf.

Spring (March - May):
Severe weather season in Central Texas. Strong storms and tornadoes are possible. Temperatures climb rapidly, with the first 90°F+ days typically occurring in April or May. Day-to-day variability remains high due to passing fronts.

Summer (June - August):
Hot, often relentlessly so. High pressure typically dominates, bringing clear skies and minimal rainfall. Triple-digit temperatures are common, and multi-day streaks of 100°F+ heat are expected. The high is typically reached between 4-6 PM.

Fall (September - November):
September remains quite hot, often continuing summer patterns. October brings more variable weather as cold fronts return. By November, conditions become more changeable with increasing temperature volatility.

Austin-Specific Trading Tips

Track Cold Front Timing: The exact hour of cold front passage is critical. A front arriving in the morning prevents heating; one arriving in the evening allows the high to be reached before cooling begins.

Watch for "Backdoor" Cold Fronts: Occasionally, cooler air arrives from the northeast rather than the northwest. These backdoor fronts can be poorly forecast and surprise markets.

Cloud Cover on Hot Days: During summer, even scattered cloud development can prevent temperatures from reaching 100°F when they otherwise would. Upper-level moisture patterns affect convective potential.

Gulf Return Flow: After cold fronts, southerly winds eventually return, bringing warmer, more humid air. The timing of this "return flow" affects how quickly temperatures rebound.

Four CLIs Daily: Austin receives 4 Climatological Reports per day, providing more frequent official updates than many other markets.

Market Resolution Details

Austin temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KAUS, issued by the Austin/San Antonio forecast office (EWX).

Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)

Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. During Daylight Saving Time, this corresponds to 1:00 AM to 12:59 AM CDT.

CLI Frequency: Austin uniquely receives 4 CLIs per day, providing more frequent official data updates than many other markets.

Data Release Schedule

Typical release times for key data products at KAUS. Times shown in UTC.

Data Type Typical Time (UTC) Variability
CLI Report
Daily climatological summary
08:18 UTC ±21 min
24hr High
METAR with max temp
05:53 UTC ±1 min
METAR
Hourly observations
Hourly at :53 ±1 min
DSM #1
Daily summary message
22:17 UTC Issuance time
DSM #2
Daily summary message
23:17 UTC Issuance time
DSM #3
Daily summary message
13:17 UTC Issuance time
DSM #4
Daily summary message
13:16 UTC Issuance time

6-Hour High/Low Reports

These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.

05:53 UTC
11:53 UTC
17:53 UTC
23:53 UTC

Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.

Data Resources

Quick links to official data sources and tools for Austin.

Forecasting Challenges

Cold Front Speed and Intensity: Predicting exactly when cold fronts will arrive and how much they'll cool temperatures is challenging. Fronts can slow, stall, or accelerate.

Extreme Heat Ceiling: During intense heat waves, predicting whether temperatures will reach 103°F, 105°F, or 107°F requires understanding subtle differences in atmospheric conditions.

Scattered Convection: Summer afternoon thunderstorms can be difficult to predict. Cloud shading and outflow boundaries from nearby storms can affect airport temperatures.

Historical Temperature Records

Record High: 112°F recorded in September 2000 and August 2023, highlighting that extreme heat can occur in late summer.

Record Low: -2°F recorded in January 1949.

100°F+ Days: Austin averages 15-20 days per year at or above 100°F, with some years seeing 30+ such days during heat waves.

2023 Heat Wave: Austin experienced an exceptional heat wave in summer 2023 with numerous consecutive days above 105°F, setting new records for consecutive extreme heat days.

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