Happy Friday, North Texas!
After a long stretch of active and very cold weather, we’ve got one more blast of Arctic air to get through this weekend. The good news? A much milder pattern takes shape next week – and we may even introduce some rain chances back into the forecast.
Today will look nice at first glance with plenty of sunshine across the region. But don’t let the blue sky fool you. A cold front slipped through overnight, and you’ll definitely feel the difference. Afternoon highs will only reach the 40s, and a brisk north wind will make it feel even colder at times.
The real punch of Arctic air arrives tonight.
Blustery north winds will usher in much colder air after sunset, and temperatures will tumble quickly into the teens and 20s by early Saturday morning. Wind chills at sunrise Saturday will mostly be in the single digits across North Texas. A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect, so you’ll want to take precautions.
Make sure to protect the 4 P’s:
- People
- Pets
- Pipes
- Plants
That means bringing pets indoors, covering sensitive plants, dripping faucets, and making sure exposed pipes are insulated.
Saturday afternoon stays cold despite mostly sunny skies. Winds will gradually relax through the day, but temperatures will struggle to reach the freezing mark in many locations. It will be a cold, but quiet day overall.
A moderating trend begins Sunday as winds turn back around and we start to recover. By early next week, we’re talking about a sharp warm-up with highs returning to the 60s. Even better, there are no additional Arctic air masses showing up over the next 10 days – at least based on current data.
Looking ahead to Tuesday, an upper-level storm system will swing through the Southern Plains. That could bring a chance of showers to parts of North Texas and possibly even a rumble of thunder. The details are still coming into focus, so timing and coverage will likely be refined over the weekend.
For now, bundle up for one more frigid morning – relief is finally in sight. -William