Unseasonably High Temperatures Persist Ahead of Sharp Temperature Drop

Dallas is currently experiencing a stretch of record-breaking warmth that will persist for several more days before a significant cold front ushers in a dramatic temperature drop. This unseasonably warm trend is expected to continue through the weekend, with highs soaring well above the seasonal average.

Ongoing Warmth and Weekend Outlook
Friday’s high temperatures are forecasted to reach the mid-80s, maintaining conditions that are 20 to 25 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year. Despite the warm weather, a cold front is slated to arrive Sunday evening, bringing a shift in weather patterns. This front is expected to trigger scattered showers and thunderstorms, although severe weather is not anticipated.

Seven-Day Temperature Trend
The arrival of colder air behind Sunday’s front will lead to a sharp decline in temperatures early next week. By Monday, daytime highs are projected to hover in the 40s, with morning lows dipping into the 30s. Most areas across North Texas should expect temperatures to fall below freezing Monday night into Tuesday. Gradual warming will follow as the region approaches the New Year, bringing temperatures closer to the seasonal norm.

Historic Warmth Recorded on Christmas Day
This December, Christmas Day tied for the second warmest on record with a high of 80 degrees in Dallas. The record peak for Christmas was 82 degrees, set in 2021, while an identical 80-degree reading also occurred in 2016. For context, the past three years have seen Christmas temperatures in the 50s, with the National Weather Service citing an average Christmas temperature of 56 degrees for North Texas, based on data between 1991 and 2020.

Reflection on Past Severe Weather
The region also marks a decade since a deadly tornado outbreak struck the Dallas-Fort Worth area on December 26, causing widespread destruction. Twelve confirmed tornadoes touched down across eight counties during that event, with the EF-4 Sunnyvale-Garland-Rowlett tornado generating winds exceeding 166 miles per hour. Tragically, the outbreak resulted in 13 fatalities and numerous injuries, highlighting the area’s vulnerability to sudden severe weather even in late December.

Residents and visitors should remain aware of weather updates as the weekend progresses, especially with the expected temperature plunge and potential for precipitation. These conditions underscore the variability of North Texas winter weather, shifting quickly from record warmth to near-freezing cold within days. The information presented is compiled from FOX 4 Weather Meteorologist Ali Turiano, the National Weather Service, and local news sources.