The Best Time to Film Outdoors in Dallas and Fort Worth, Month by Month
North Texas gives you wide skies, long summer evenings and some of the most dramatic spring weather in the country. We film across the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex every month. This guide puts the official climate numbers, sun times and seasonal risks in one table so you can pick a shoot date with confidence.
Dallas month by month
Temperatures and rainfall are the National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals for DFW Airport. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month in downtown Dallas and include daylight saving time from March to early November.
| Month | Normal high | Normal low | Sunrise | Sunset | Outdoor shoot verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56.5°F | 36.1°F | 7:29 am | 5:43 pm | Good. Cold mornings, short days |
| February | 60.9°F | 40.1°F | 7:10 am | 6:12 pm | Good. Watch for freezes |
| March | 68.6°F | 47.8°F | 7:37 am | 7:35 pm | Excellent |
| April | 76.1°F | 55.2°F | 6:57 am | 7:57 pm | Good. Peak storm season |
| May | 83.6°F | 64.5°F | 6:28 am | 8:19 pm | Mornings. Wettest month |
| June | 91.5°F | 72.2°F | 6:18 am | 8:36 pm | Dawn and dusk only |
| July | 95.6°F | 75.8°F | 6:30 am | 8:35 pm | Dawn only |
| August | 95.8°F | 75.7°F | 6:50 am | 8:11 pm | Dawn only |
| September | 88.6°F | 68.5°F | 7:11 am | 7:32 pm | Mornings. Heat eases late |
| October | 78.4°F | 57.1°F | 7:31 am | 6:53 pm | Excellent. Second wettest month |
| November | 66.6°F | 46.2°F | 6:57 am | 5:25 pm | Excellent |
| December | 57.9°F | 38.3°F | 7:22 am | 5:22 pm | Good. Shortest days |
Rain by month
DFW averages about 37 inches of rain a year, and it is not spread evenly. May is the wettest month with a normal of 4.78 inches, and October is second at 4.37 inches. July is the driest at 2.08 inches.
| Month | Normal rainfall |
|---|---|
| January | 2.53 in |
| February | 2.76 in |
| March | 3.30 in |
| April | 3.22 in |
| May | 4.78 in |
| June | 3.70 in |
| July | 2.08 in |
| August | 2.18 in |
| September | 2.72 in |
| October | 4.37 in |
| November | 2.53 in |
| December | 2.84 in |
October is still one of our favorite months for exteriors. The rain tends to come in a few heavy events rather than every day, so a flexible date or a second hold solves most of the risk.
Spring: plan for storms
Spring in North Texas is gorgeous and unpredictable. National Weather Service records show that since 1950 North Texas has seen more tornadoes in April and May than in all the other months combined. Most spring days are fine, but hail, damaging wind and lightning can arrive with little warning.
- Book a weather day for any outdoor shoot from late March through early June.
- Keep an indoor backup that still fits the story, such as a showroom, a restaurant dining room or a covered patio.
- Watch the forecast from the National Weather Service in Fort Worth the week of the shoot. Storms often build in the afternoon and evening, so morning call times help.
- Stormy skies can also look great in construction and real estate videos when the crew is safe and the timing is right.
Summer: early and late
DFW averages about 20 days a year at 100°F or hotter, and the normal high in July and August is close to 96°F. Humidity makes it feel hotter than the number.
- Start at sunrise. In mid June the sun rises around 6:18 am, and the best light lasts until about 7 am.
- Use the long evenings. Sunset is around 8:36 pm in June, which gives a full golden hour after most job sites and offices close.
- Move the middle of the day inside. Interviews, product, food and detail shots do not need the sun.
- Protect the crew. Water, shade, short takes and breaks are part of the schedule, not extras. On construction sites we follow the site's own heat rules.
Winter: short days and the odd freeze
Winter in Dallas is usually mild, with December and January highs in the upper 50s. DFW averages about 29 freezes a season, and an ice event can close roads for a day or two. The main constraint is daylight: in mid December the sun sets around 5:22 pm. Winter is a good season for headshots, interiors and short exterior blocks.
How we choose a date
- Match the season to the story. Patio dining, pool amenities and green lawns want late spring or early fall. Construction progress happens on the project's schedule, so we plan around the weather instead.
- Check the light at each location. We map sunrise, sunset and sun direction before we lock the call time.
- Check permits. Public property in Dallas can need a permit. Our Dallas filming permits guide explains who to call.
- Hold a backup. In storm season we always hold a second date or an indoor plan.
Video narration
Read what the video says
Filming in Dallas? Big skies, long summer evenings, and some of the wildest spring weather in the country.
The most reliable months are March, October and November, with highs from the upper sixties to the upper seventies. July and August sit near ninety six.
In summer, film early and late. In mid June the sun rises around six twenty and sets around eight thirty five, so you get a long golden hour after work.
And spring is storm season.
North Texas sees more tornadoes in April and May than in every other month combined. May is the wettest month. And Dallas averages about twenty days a year at a hundred degrees or more.
Choose your month, hold a weather day, and let the Texas sky do the rest. Picture Perfect Video.
Common questions
What is the best month for an outdoor photo shoot in Dallas?
March, October and November are the most reliable. Highs range from about 67°F to 78°F and the light is softer. April and May look great but are peak storm season, so keep a weather day.
What is the rainiest month in Dallas?
May, with a normal of 4.78 inches at DFW Airport. October is second with 4.37 inches. July is the driest month.
When is storm season in Dallas?
Spring, with the highest risk in April and May. National Weather Service records show North Texas has had more tornadoes in those two months since 1950 than in all other months combined.
When is golden hour in Dallas?
In mid June evening golden hour starts around 8 pm with sunset near 8:36 pm. In mid December it starts around 4:45 pm with sunset near 5:22 pm. Check the exact time for your date.
How hot does it get in Dallas in the summer?
The normal high in July and August is close to 96°F, and DFW averages about 20 days a year at 100°F or hotter. Plan exteriors for early morning and evening.
We plan around the weather.
Tell us the date, the locations and what you need. We build the schedule around the light, the heat and the storm forecast.
Book a free callOr email charles@pictureperfectvideo.com
Related reading
Sources checked October 17, 2026: NWS Fort Worth DFW 1991 to 2020 normals; NWS Fort Worth normals summary for 100 degree days and freezes; NBC DFW citing National Weather Service tornado records. Sunrise and sunset times calculated for the 15th of each month in 2026 with standard solar position formulas.