When people think of Texas, the image usually called up is one of a hot sun beating on a dry earth, with dusty horses and cowboys lining the road from the saloon to the church. Oh, and lots of cacti. Cacti as far as the eye can see. So when work or family requires you to move to our nation’s 28th state, forget what the cartoons and westerns have taught you. Here’s an insider’s look at the real weather in Texas’ top cities.

San Antonio, New Braunfels & Austin

Ever heard the old adage, "Don’t like the weather in Texas? Just wait five minutes." I’m positive they’re talking about this area. As a San Antonio resident and New Braunfels and Austin frequenter, I’ve experienced my fair share of cold, rainy days in the summer and have been able to sunbathe in December. It’s a bit of a roller coaster ride. You’ll never find an intolerably cold winter in these cities. In fact, you may be able to wear shorts outside, while Texas’ northern cities are scraping ice off of their windshields. It can, however, get dangerously hot in the summer. It’s very important to have some form of home cooling unit to avoid heat exhaustion. This goes for pets, as well! For your dog or cat’s safety, bring them inside on these high-temperature days.

Houston & Corpus Christi

We hope you like air that you can sip with a straw. Houston and Corpus Christi’s humidity levels are some of the highest in the state. Both cities have average humidities of nearly 80% and have humid subtropical climates. Corpus Christi does, however, receive relief in the form of coastal winds.

El Paso, Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa

Okay, okay, the westerns weren’t completely inaccurate. When it comes to west Texas, you’re going to get the dusty, cacti-filled desert experience. If you’ve seen No Country For Old Men or James Dean rock a cowboy hat in Giant, you’re seeing what you’re in for. Marfa, El Paso, Alpine and Fort Davis all feature this extremely dry climate. While the summer heat is on par with most of Texas, their elevation also contributes to colder winters and thinner air.

Dallas & Fort Worth

The DFW area is home to a climate of extremes. Due to its northern location it experiences the rain, snow and tornadoes more characteristic of the central plains area. While cold fronts and snowstorms are common in the winter, Dallas is also far enough south for temperatures to reach the high 90s in the summer. It really is a place of highs and lows, with April and October being the mildest months.

Tyler

Nearing the Louisiana Border, Tyler’s consistently mild climate has helped to make it home to the largest municipal rose garden in the United States. Although summer temperatures can reach the mid-90s, Tyler’s average high temperature is only 77 degrees, with an average low of 56 degrees.

Amarillo

Nestled in the Texas Panhandle, Amarillo features a semi-arid climate. Its dry air makes for more comfortable average lows in the summer, but has still been known to reach the high 90s and even 100s on occasion. Its typically windy climate has been known to produce blizzards and tornadoes, with average rainfall and light snowfall.