Severe Cold Grips North Texas; Warming Trend Expected Midweek

URGENT UPDATE: A powerful cold front swept through North Texas this weekend, plunging temperatures and bringing bitter wind chills. Early morning readings on January 14, 2024, saw lows of just 29 degrees at Possum Kingdom Lake and 34 degrees in Dallas, with wind chill values dipping into the upper teens.

The dramatic temperature drop follows scattered rain and thunderstorms that left some areas drenched with over an inch of rainfall. However, others saw little to no precipitation. The persistent cold is compounded by strong winds, making it feel much colder across the region.

Weather officials report that while current conditions are frigid, a warming trend is on the horizon. By Tuesday, temperatures are expected to rise gradually, reaching highs in the 50s, and nearing 60 degrees by Wednesday.

As clouds linger throughout the day, they are contributing to significant travel impacts across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, where rain is transitioning to sleet and snow. Forecasters have indicated that an upper-level low spinning over the Great Lakes will continue to produce snow into the coming days.

Looking ahead, North Texas is not anticipated to experience severe weather heading into the weekend. A southwestern flow aloft should maintain cloud cover and may bring isolated showers on Monday, with rain chances hovering around 20 to 30 percent. Fortunately, temperatures are expected to remain above freezing, eliminating the risk of wintry precipitation.

Despite the immediate chill, the upcoming weekend promises calmer weather and more typical temperatures. Residents are urged to remain vigilant as conditions shift throughout the week, especially with another stronger system forecasted to move in on Thursday, potentially bringing widespread rain and thunderstorms.

Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops. With temperatures fluctuating, it’s crucial to keep an eye on local forecasts as North Texans brace for the cold before a welcomed warm-up returns midweek.