You’ve lived in North Texas long enough to know the drill. One day you’re wearing shorts at a backyard BBQ, and twelve hours later, you’re frantically wrapping your outdoor faucets because a "blue norther" just screamed through Tarrant County. It's basically the local sport: guessing if you'll need an ice scraper or sunscreen by noon.
Right now, looking at the extended weather forecast Fort Worth Texas, we are staring down a classic January transition that feels more like a mood swing than a season.
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, is actually pretty decent. We are looking at a high near 59°F with plenty of sun. It's that crisp, clear North Texas air where the wind kicks up to about 15 mph from the north, just enough to remind you it’s actually winter. But don't get used to it. The overnight low is dipping to 35°F, and honestly, Saturday is going to feel like a completely different world.
The Saturday Slump and the Sunday Reset
If you have plans for Saturday, January 17, maybe keep them indoors. The temperature is going to struggle to even hit 48°F. It’ll be cloudy, gray, and just generally "blah." The real kicker is Saturday night—we are expecting the mercury to drop to 28°F. That’s a hard freeze. If you haven't brought in the sensitive potted plants yet, that's your deadline.
Then, because Fort Worth weather loves a plot twist, Sunday rebounds.
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
We go from a 28°F wake-up call to a sunny 61°F afternoon. It’s wild. You’ll be layering up like an onion in the morning and shedding everything but a t-shirt by the time the Cowboys (or whoever's playing) kick off. This kind of 30-degree swing is exactly why everyone in Cowtown has a permanent "car coat" tossed in the backseat.
Next Week: Clouds, Sprinkles, and Humidity Creep
Looking into the work week starting January 19, the pattern gets a bit "mushy." We aren't seeing any massive Arctic blasts—at least not the kind that shut down I-35W—but it stays cool. Monday and Tuesday hover in the 50s.
By Wednesday, January 21, things start feeling a bit swampy for January. Humidity jumps up to 72%. When that Gulf moisture starts flowing back into North Texas, you know rain isn't far behind. We’re looking at:
- Wednesday night: 20% chance of rain, low of 47°F.
- Thursday, Jan 22: High of 67°F (hello, warmth!) but with light rain likely.
- Friday, Jan 23: High of 65°F with a 40% chance of showers overnight.
Basically, the end of next week is going to be gray, damp, and oddly warm. It’s that annoying weather where it’s too warm for a heavy coat but too wet to go without one.
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
What’s Driving This Weirdness?
Usually, when we talk about the extended weather forecast Fort Worth Texas, we have to look at the Pacific. We are currently in a weak La Niña phase. Traditionally, La Niña means Texas stays warmer and drier than average. However, the Climate Prediction Center is noting a 75% chance that we transition to "ENSO-neutral" conditions between now and March.
What does that mean for you? It means the "predictable" part of winter is over.
When the Pacific is neutral, the jet stream wanders. It’s like a garden hose that’s been let go—it whips around randomly. This is why our forecast shows a mix of 28°F freezes and 67°F rainy days within the same five-day span. Experts like the ones over at the National Weather Service in Fort Worth are keeping a close eye on the "Arctic Oscillation" too. If that "polar vortex" everyone loves to tweet about weakens, we could still see a sudden, sharp cold snap in late January or early February, despite the overall warm trend.
Common Misconceptions About DFW Winters
People always think January is just a solid block of cold. It’s not. In fact, the average high for January in Fort Worth is around 59°F. We actually get more "nice" days than "ice" days. The problem is the "ice" days are so traumatic (looking at you, 2021) that we forget the 60-degree afternoons even happened.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
Another thing: rain. We don't get a ton of it in January—usually about 2 inches for the whole month. But when we do get it, like the light rain forecast for the 22nd and 23rd, it tends to linger as a fine mist that makes the roads greasy. North Texas drivers and a little bit of mist? That's a recipe for a bad commute.
Preparation for the Next 10 Days
Don't let the 60-degree Sunday fool you into thinking winter is done. Texas is famous for "False Spring." We usually get about three of them before the real one sticks in April.
For the upcoming Saturday freeze (28°F), do a quick lap of your house. Check the pool pumps if you have them, make sure the hoses are disconnected, and maybe give the pets a bit of extra bedding. By Thursday, when the rain chances move in, make sure your windshield wipers aren't dry-rotted from the summer heat. You’ll need them for that misty, humid back-half of the week.
Stay weather-aware, especially around January 24th. The models are showing a slight cool-down back into the 50s with lingering clouds. It’s not a deep freeze, but it’s definitely "soup weather."
Actionable Next Steps:
- Friday Night: Double-check your heater filters; it’s going to be working overtime Saturday night.
- Saturday Morning: Wrap any exposed external pipes before the sun goes down and the 28°F low hits.
- Mid-Week: Keep an umbrella in the car starting Wednesday evening for that incoming Gulf moisture.
- Long-term: Keep an eye on the transition to ENSO-neutral, as it could lead to a much wetter February than we’ve seen in recent years.