Waking up in Dallas this morning, you probably felt that bite in the air. It’s officially 29°F right now. Honestly, for a city that spends most of July and August flirting with triple digits, this kind of chill feels like a personal affront to our collective Texan identity.
The wind is barely a whisper, coming from the southwest at 2 mph. If you're heading out to grab breakfast or walking the dog at Klyde Warren Park, it’s that "dry cold" that doesn't seem so bad until you’ve been standing in it for ten minutes.
We’re looking at a sunny day ahead, which is the saving grace of North Texas winters. The high is expected to hit 59°F. That’s a massive 35-degree swing from the overnight low of 24°F. Basically, you’ll start the day in a heavy parka and end it wondering if you can get away with just a light hoodie while you’re out on a patio in Deep Ellum.
Why the Temp in Dallas is a Moving Target
If you’ve lived here for more than a week, you know the local saying: if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. It’s a cliché because it’s true. The temp in Dallas is influenced by our lack of geographic barriers. We are sitting in a giant bowl. Arctic air masses (the dreaded "Blue Northers") can slide down the Great Plains and hit us with zero resistance.
Today is a perfect example of the "rebound." We hit the coldest air of the season so far this morning, but by mid-afternoon, it'll feel relatively mild.
- Current Temp: 29°F
- Today's High: 59°F
- Tonight's Low: 24°F
- Wind: Southwest at 7 mph (afternoon)
- Conditions: Pure sun
Humidity is sitting around 49% right now but will drop to about 33% as the sun does its work. That’s low enough to make the air feel crisp, but watch out for the fire danger. Meteorologists like Lauren Bostwick have been pointing out that dry grass and southwest gusts can lead to quick-spreading brush fires, especially west of I-35.
What to Expect for MLK Day
Planning to head out for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day parades tomorrow? You’ll want to keep the layers handy. A weak cold front is sliding through tonight. It won’t be a "snowpocalypse," but it will cap our high tomorrow at around 54°F.
The morning will start near freezing again. If you’re standing on a curb waiting for a parade, that 5-10 mph northeast wind is going to make it feel much colder than the actual thermometer reading.
The Weird Reality of Dallas Winters
People think Texas is all desert and heat. Then they visit Dallas in January and realize we actually have a legitimate winter. Average highs for January usually hover around 57.7°F, with lows near 38°F. We are currently trending a bit colder on the low end but warmer on the high end.
Historically, we’ve seen some wild stuff. Did you know the record low for Dallas was -8°F back in 1899? Or more recently, the 2021 freeze that dropped us to -2°F? Compared to those nightmares, a 29°F morning is practically beach weather.
Dressing for a 30-Degree Swing
You can't trust the morning temp in Dallas to tell you what the afternoon will look like.
- The Base Layer: Start with something breathable.
- The Mid-Layer: A fleece or a light sweater is your best friend.
- The Outer Shell: You need a wind-resistant jacket for the morning. By 2:00 PM, you’ll be shoving it into your backseat.
By midweek, the pattern shifts. We’re looking at a 30% chance of showers by Tuesday night into Wednesday. Temperatures will stay in the 50s and 60s, so at least we aren't dealing with ice—which is the real enemy in this town. When it rains at 33°F in Dallas, the whole city basically hits the "pause" button.
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Practical Steps for Today
- Check your tire pressure: Cold snaps like this cause the "low air" light to pop on. It's just physics, not a puncture.
- Hydrate your skin: The 33% humidity this afternoon will dry you out faster than a summer day.
- Sunscreen: Even at 59°F, a cloudless day with a UV index of 3 can still catch you off guard if you're outside for hours.
Keep an eye on the wind direction. When it shifts to the northeast tonight, that’s your signal that the mild afternoon is over and the chill is coming back for round two.
Stay warm out there. Or cool. Depending on what hour it is.