Texas winter is basically a game of high-stakes weather roulette. One minute you're walking the dog in a light hoodie, and the next, you're frantically covering your outdoor faucets because the temperature decided to dive off a cliff. Honestly, if you've lived in North Texas long enough, you know that the 7 day forecast dallas tx is less of a rigid schedule and more of a "best guess" that changes faster than the traffic on 75.
Right now, as we sit on Friday, January 16, 2026, the current vibe is actually pretty decent. We’re sitting at a crisp 47°F under clear nighttime skies. It’s quiet. A light breeze from the south at 7 mph is keeping things from feeling too stagnant. But don't get comfortable. The atmosphere is about to pull a classic "hold my beer" move.
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The Cold Front is Lurking
Today, Friday, is actually looking like the pick of the week if you’re a fan of the sun. We’re heading for a high of 60°F. That’s that sweet spot where you can actually enjoy the outdoors without your face hurting. Expect plenty of sunshine, but watch out for the wind. It’s shifting to the north at a steady 15 mph, which is usually the first sign that the cold air is starting to bleed in from the Plains.
By the time we hit tonight, that 60-degree high will be a distant memory as we bottom out at 37°F.
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Saturday’s Reality Check
If you had plans for a patio brunch on Saturday, January 17, maybe look for a spot with those massive outdoor heaters. It’s going to stay cloudy all day. The high is struggling to even reach 47°F, and the low is dropping to a bone-chilling 28°F.
Wait, did someone say snow?
The Saturday night forecast technically mentions a chance of snow, but let’s be real: in Dallas, that usually means a few lonely flakes that melt before they even hit the pavement. Still, the humidity is sitting low at 23%, and with those north winds at 9 mph, it’s going to feel significantly colder than the thermometer says.
The Sunday Bounce Back
Because this is North Texas, we can’t just stay cold for more than 24 hours. Sunday, January 18, brings the sun back in a big way. We’re jumping back up to a high of 59°F. It’s a 31-degree swing from the Saturday night low of 28°F. That’s the kind of volatility that makes everyone in the Metroplex sick. One second you're in a parka, the next you're thinking about car washes and outdoor jogs.
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The wind flips back to the southwest on Sunday, which is our local "warm-up" signal.
Looking Toward Next Week
As we roll into Monday, January 19, the pattern gets a little murky. We're looking at:
- Monday: Partly sunny with a high of 52°F. A bit of a dip from Sunday, but manageable.
- Tuesday: Another high of 54°F. Cloud cover starts to build up as the humidity climbs toward 43%.
- Wednesday: This is where it gets interesting. We hit 60°F again, but the humidity spikes to 71%.
When that Gulf moisture starts pumping back into North Texas, things usually get "soupy." Wednesday and Thursday are showing mostly cloudy conditions with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s. It’s not exactly "pretty" weather, but it’s definitely not the deep freeze we sometimes see this time of year.
What Most People Get Wrong About Dallas Winters
People from up north love to make fun of us when it hits 30 degrees, but they don't understand the humidity and wind chill factor here. A 30-degree morning in Dallas with a 15 mph north wind feels way more biting than a dry 20 degrees in Denver.
Also, the "January Thaw" is a very real thing here. According to historical data from stations like Dallas Love Field, our average high for mid-January is usually around 56°F to 58°F. So, while a 60-degree Friday feels like a gift, it’s actually right on the money for a typical Texas winter. We aren't seeing record-breaking heat this week—the record high for mid-January is actually up in the 80s—but we aren't seeing an "Arctic Blast" either.
Basically, this week is the definition of "meh" weather. It’s okay. It’s fine. It’s just... Dallas.
Practical Steps for the Week Ahead
- Saturday Night Prep: Since we’re hitting 28°F on Saturday night, make sure your pets are inside. It’s not "ice storm" cold, but it’s "uncomfortable" cold.
- Layer Up: The 31-degree swing between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon is a recipe for a wardrobe crisis. Keep a light jacket in the car even if it looks warm when you leave the house.
- Watch the Winds: Friday’s 15 mph north wind is going to make that 60 degrees feel a lot more like 50. Don't be fooled by the sun.
The best thing you can do is keep an eye on the radar toward Wednesday of next week. That moisture increase usually means some rain chances might start creeping into the long-range outlook, even if the current 7-day is mostly dry. For now, enjoy the sun while it lasts on Friday and Sunday.