December 26 marked an unusually warm day in North Texas, resembling summer more than the winter season. Joggers donned T-shirts along Spring Valley Road in Richardson, while families and friends visited local coffee shops dressed in shorts and light clothing, seemingly oblivious to the typical holiday chill.
On Christmas Day, temperatures were warm but fell short of breaking records. However, by Friday afternoon, the Dallas area recorded a high of 85 degrees, surpassing the previous record of 83. At Love Field Airport, temperatures reached 83 degrees at the same time.
Experts from the National Weather Service indicated that this unseasonably warm weather trend is expected to continue, with overnight lows forecasted around 63 degrees and daytime highs again climbing into the 80s on Saturday.
Local resident Vanessa Vega, 24, shared her experience at a coffee shop on Spring Valley Road, where she was selling key chains and labubus, a plush toy that has soared in popularity recently. Vega mentioned experiencing similarly warm holiday weather last year, recalling a moment when she had to swap her hoodie for a T-shirt due to the rising temperatures.
Meteorologist Jason Dunn remarked on the extended stretch of warmth, noting that temperatures have been 20 to 25 degrees above normal for this time of year. However, winter is still on the horizon, with forecasts predicting colder weather to arrive in January and February.
As the holiday season winds down, a cold front is expected to move through the Dallas-Fort Worth region next week, leading to a significant drop in temperatures. Monday could see highs only reaching 46 degrees, with nighttime lows near 28 degrees and strong winds approaching 30 mph. Looking ahead, New Year’s Day is forecasted to bring a slight warming trend, with daytime temperatures climbing into the low 60s.
Overall, while residents are enjoying the warmer-than-usual holiday season, the return of winter temperatures is on the way, reminding everyone that the seasonal changes are still ahead.