The Dallas-Fort Worth area can expect summer-like temperatures to start the week.
Weather experts predict record heat for the season, 20 to 30 degrees above normal, across North Texas over the next couple of days, followed by a sharp cool down by midweek.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth (NWS) expects the first 90-degree day of 2024 to occur on February 26. Temperatures may climb as high as 93 degrees in the metroplex, with temperatures to the west rising as high as 94, according to the NWS’s website.
David Bonnette, a meteorologist with the NWS in Fort Worth, told The Dallas Express that the agency has recorded high temperatures during astronomical and meteorological winters 10 times in its history. Bonnette explained that the heat on Monday was due to hot and dry air coming from West Texas.
“The big thing for today is that we had a slug of dry air come in from West Texas and whenever you get the dry air come in from the west, it has a tendency to get exceptionally warm,” said Bonnette.
Temperatures are expected to drop into the high 80s on February 27. However, breezy conditions combined with warm temperatures will bring an “elevated” risk of grass fires. Weather experts advise residents to avoid activities that can start a grass fire, such as dragging chains, tossing cigarette butts, and more.
Chilly conditions will return by midweek as temperatures are expected to drop into the 50s on February 28 and 29. Thursday will also see the return of chances of rain (between 30% and 40%) across the region.
March 1 will see temperatures rise into the 70s and up into the 80s by the weekend. The next chance of rain is expected to arrive on March 3, bringing with it a slight chance of thunderstorms.
