As the final days of September 2025 unfold, much of the central United States is basking in an unseasonably warm and sunny stretch of weather. From the heart of Indiana to the plains of Texas and the rolling hills of Minnesota, residents are experiencing a rare alignment: clear skies, above-average temperatures, and a remarkable lack of rain. If you’ve been waiting for autumn’s chill to arrive, you might need to hold out a little longer.
According to WPTA, Fort Wayne, Indiana is set to remain well above its normal temperature range for several days beginning Sunday, September 28. The city is enjoying lots of sunshine, with high temperatures reaching the mid-80s. The forecast promises a dry day, and as night falls, the mercury will dip to a comfortable low near 55 under clear skies. This pattern isn’t just a one-day fluke—more sun and warmth are expected on Monday, with only a slight cooling trend anticipated later in the week. Rain? Hardly any, says WPTA, as the week ahead looks to be dry from start to finish.
Further south and west, the Dallas-Fort Worth area is also in the midst of a tranquil weather spell. The National Weather Service, as reported by KXAS-TV (NBC5), describes the upcoming week as “sunny, clear and ‘quiet.’” These are not just ordinary warm days, either. The 30-year average high for late September in Dallas-Fort Worth is around 85 degrees, but this year, the highs are pushing the envelope. On Sunday, September 28, the region is forecast to see a high of 90 degrees, with a low of 66 and an east wind at 5-10 mph. Monday brings a slight dip—if you can call it that—with a high of 88, but by Tuesday, the thermometer is back up to 90.
And that’s just the beginning. As October arrives, Dallas-Fort Worth will see highs of 91 degrees from Wednesday through Friday, according to the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office. Nighttime lows will linger in the mid-to-upper 60s all week. The skies will remain mostly sunny, and not a drop of rain is expected. In fact, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting below-normal rain chances for the next several weeks—a trend that’s sure to keep lawns thirsty and umbrellas gathering dust. “This upcoming week should have clear skies without a chance of rain in sight,” the NWS Fort Worth office says, summing up the mood perfectly.
Meanwhile, up north in Rochester, Minnesota, the story is remarkably similar. The Post Bulletin reports that the region wrapped up the weekend with another “beautiful, sunny day.” Highs on Sunday, September 28, sat comfortably in the upper 70s, with barely a breeze or a cloud to be found. Monday is expected to be even warmer across southeast Minnesota, with temperatures climbing to near 80 degrees as winds shift from the south. The dry, warm pattern is forecast to persist through the end of September and into the early days of October, with only a few clouds here and there to break up the blue. The earliest chance for rain won’t come until the end of the following weekend, around October 4-5.
What’s behind this widespread spell of warmth and sunshine? While each region has its own meteorological quirks, the current pattern is being driven by a combination of high-pressure systems and persistent southerly winds. High pressure tends to suppress cloud formation and precipitation, leading to clear skies and stable conditions. When southerly winds are in play, they often bring warmer air up from lower latitudes, boosting temperatures above seasonal norms.
For Fort Wayne, the forecast is a classic example of late-season warmth refusing to let go. “Temperatures will remain well above normal the next several days,” WPTA reports, adding that “the day will be dry” and the low will be “near 55 under clear skies.” The station also notes that, while a slight cooling trend is expected later in the week, little rain is anticipated. That means residents can expect to keep their windows open and their air conditioners running just a bit longer than usual.
Dallas-Fort Worth, on the other hand, is experiencing a heatwave that seems more fitting for August than October. The National Weather Service’s detailed forecast reads like a broken record: “Mostly sunny and warm” is the refrain for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with highs holding steady at 91 degrees. Each night, the low will hover between 66 and 68, providing only modest relief from the daytime heat. The wind will shift slightly from east to southeast as the week progresses, but it won’t be enough to bring any moisture. “Rain chances are expected to stay below normal for the next several weeks,” the Climate Prediction Center warns, which could have implications for local agriculture and water supplies if the pattern persists.
In Rochester, the pleasant weather is being welcomed after a summer that saw its fair share of storms. The Post Bulletin notes that Sunday’s highs were “in the upper 70s for much of the region this afternoon with barely a breeze through the region nor a cloud in the sky.” Monday is shaping up to be warmer still, with “temperatures…near 80° Monday afternoon.” The forecast for the rest of the week is more of the same: dry, sunny, and unseasonably warm. It’s only towards the end of next weekend that the chance of rain begins to creep back into the picture.
For those who love summer, this extended run of warm, sunny days is a gift. Outdoor events, backyard barbecues, and late-season swims are all on the table. But for others—gardeners, farmers, and allergy sufferers—the lack of rain and persistent warmth may be more of a challenge. Lawns and crops could start to show signs of stress, and without the cleansing effect of rain, pollen and dust may linger in the air.
Still, there’s a certain joy in these golden days. As September gives way to October, the central U.S. is enjoying a rare meteorological treat: a seamless transition from summer to fall, with none of the usual drama. Whether you’re in Fort Wayne, Dallas, or Rochester, it’s a good time to get outside, soak up the sun, and savor the warmth—because, as every Midwesterner knows, winter is always just around the corner.
