A strong cold front is set to sweep across Texas later this week, signaling a significant shift from the recent warmer and sunnier weather. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings as an influx of arctic air is expected to cause temperatures to drop drastically, particularly in the Texas Panhandle.
Beginning Thursday, cities from Dalhart to Amarillo will experience a notable decline in afternoon highs, plummeting from a pleasant 70 degrees to a more seasonal 53 to 55 degrees by Friday. Temperatures are projected to plummet even further, with nighttime lows possibly dipping into the 20s. The NWS forecasts that while the front will bring colder temperatures, it is unlikely to bring snow, in contrast to last week’s weather patterns.
The cold air mass will continue southward and reach North Texas by Friday night, bringing the end of unseasonably warm days that have lingered in the upper 60s throughout the week. Residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can expect high temperatures in the mid to upper 50s over the weekend, with nighttime temperatures in the lower 40s prompting the need for heavier outerwear.
Despite the chill, forecasters are predicting clear skies for North Texas, though winds will pick up as the cold front progresses. The National Weather Service’s Dallas-Fort Worth office notes that a strong shortwave trough moving through the Great Lakes will contribute to gusty north winds and colder air making its way down through the state. Light drizzles may also make an appearance toward the end of the weekend.
As the arctic air mass pushes southward, towns in South Central Texas, such as San Antonio and Austin, are not expected to experience the same severe drop in temperatures as the north. However, a noticeable cool-down is still anticipated, with San Antonio’s temperatures dropping from near 80 degrees earlier in the week to the low 70s or upper 60s by Friday.
This weather pattern highlights the dynamic nature of Texas’s climate, demonstrating the state’s ability to shift rapidly from warmth to winter-like conditions. While this sudden change may be jarring, residents can take comfort in the sunny skies that are expected to accompany the cold front, providing a balanced outlook amid the shifting temperatures.