Residents of Dallas woke up to surprisingly warm temperatures this December, creating quite the buzz around town. The National Weather Service has been keeping close tabs on the situation, noting fluctuations likely to confuse even the most seasoned citizens. Starting off this week, Dallas is experiencing temperatures reaching up to 74 degrees, with humidity and precipitation adding to the mix. It's far from the winter weather most locals expect during this time of year.
On Monday morning, forecasters noted, "A chance of showers before noon, then showers likely and possibly thunderstorms between noon and 3 PM" with the chance of rain peaking at 60%. The winds are also playing their usual tricks—starting from the south and shifting northeast as the day progresses. If you're stepping out, you might want to keep your umbrella handy for whatever the sky throws your way.
While the showers are likely to taper off with the evening, the upcoming days forecast more variable conditions. Residents can expect cooler nighttime temperatures, dipping around 55 degrees, with Tuesday promising only minor chances of morning showers before clearing. The high is projected at 71, but be prepared for thunderstorms to make their presence felt again after midnight as Dallas oscillates between warm days and chilly nights.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Last year, on the same date—December 16, 2023—Dallas also basked under unseasonably warm conditions with similar temperatures. On average, temperatures for this time typically hover around 68 degrees, making this recent warmth about 6 degrees above the usual. That’s not too drastic, but it certainly doesn’t feel like winter.
By midweek, residents should brace themselves for yet another cooling trend, particularly on Wednesday. The day may start with some showers before giving way to clearer skies—transitioning from windswept rain to sunshine as temperatures drop to around 53 degrees by late afternoon. Let’s not forget, nighttime drops cooler still, reaching lows near 37.
After the weather flip-flop on Monday and Tuesday, Thursday through the weekend looks like it’ll calm down significantly, offering clear, sunny skies. But don’t let this lull your guard. While forecasters aren’t anticipating severe weather, the Hazardous Weather Outlook still cautions locals to remain alerted for unexpectedly gusty winds and small hail accompanying any storms.
So is it typical for Dallas to see this sort of warmth during December? When you look back, December has often been mild, albeit sporadically. This week’s warm temperatures are unusual enough to be noticed, but not drastic enough to raise eyebrows for long-term Dallasites. They’re used to the whims of the Texas climate, where changing weather patterns can sometimes mean experiencing all four seasons within just one week.
Regardless, as discussions around climate change heat up (sometimes literally), the question persists: Will these warm spells become more common? Climate patterns suggest the possibility, provoking thought among locals and experts alike about future winters. For now, though, it's all about enjoying the relatively warm December days, dodging raindrops, and keeping up with those unpredictable weather shifts.
So, if you’re out and about this week, keep your vision clear on the skies, your ears perked for storm alerts, and definitely have some flex-time in your plans, because you never quite know what Texas weather will bring!
