Good Thursday morning, North Texas!
We’re heading into a bit of a temperature rollercoaster over the next several days. After a milder day today, a cold front drops us back into the 40s Friday, and then a fresh blast of Arctic air arrives Saturday that could keep many areas near – or even below – freezing all day.
Today is the pick of the week, so enjoy it. Highs will climb into the 50s with a mix of sun and clouds. Winds will turn northerly and become breezy later this afternoon, signaling the next round of colder air moving in.
By tonight, temperatures fall quickly after sunset. Most communities across North Texas will drop back into the 20s by Friday morning, and a brisk north wind will make it feel even colder. Wind chills early Friday will likely be in the teens in some spots.
Friday will be noticeably chillier. Afternoon highs will only reach the 40s, and with that persistent north wind, it will feel several degrees colder than the thermometer indicates. Expect a mix of sun and clouds through the day.
Saturday is when the bitterly cold air really settles in. Highs will struggle into the 30s, and some hometowns across North Texas may not climb above freezing at all. A gusty north wind will push wind chills into the teens and 20s, making it feel more like mid-winter. If you paused your winter precautions during the brief warm-up, you’ll want to resume them Saturday night – including dripping faucets and protecting sensitive plants and pipes.
The good news is that this shot of Arctic air won’t last long. Temperatures begin to rebound Sunday. We should stay in the 50s through much of next week, bringing a more seasonal and manageable pattern.
We’re also watching the potential for rain – and possibly even a few thunderstorms – Tuesday into Wednesday. The details are still coming into focus, but this system could bring some much needed rainfall to North Texas. We’ll fine tune those rain chances as we get closer.
Stay warm, and enjoy the milder weather while it’s here! -William