Cowtown isn’t just about the boots and the Stockyards. If you’ve spent more than five minutes here, you know the weather is a fickle beast. One day you’re wearing shorts at a TCU game, and the next, a "Blue Norther" is screaming down I-35W, dropping the mercury faster than a bad habit. Honestly, the temperature in Fort Worth is less of a steady climb and more of a chaotic heart rate monitor.
Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’re feeling that bite. Right now, it’s a crisp 38°F outside. But don't let that number fool you. With the wind coming out of the north at 8 mph, the "feels like" temperature is sitting at a shivering 32°F. It’s cloudy, kind of gloomy, and there's a tiny 10% chance of rain. Basically, it’s a "stay inside with a heavy sweater" kind of morning.
Why the Temperature in Fort Worth Swings So Wildly
North Texas is basically a flat runway for air masses. We don't have mountains to block the freezing Arctic air coming from Canada, and we don't have much to stop the humid, sticky air pushing up from the Gulf of Mexico. When those two meet? Chaos.
Usually, January in Fort Worth sees an average high of 57°F and a low around 36°F. Today is actually trending a bit colder than the historical norm. We’re looking at a high of 44°F and a low of 26°F tonight. That’s a 18-degree swing in a single day, which is actually pretty standard for us. If you’re visiting, you’ve gotta pack layers. I’m talking a T-shirt, a flannel, and a heavy coat. You’ll probably use all three before lunch.
The Urban Heat Island Is Real
Ever noticed it’s way hotter in Downtown Fort Worth or near the Alliance Airport than it is out in the rural patches of Tarrant County? That’s the Urban Heat Island effect. All that concrete and asphalt in the city absorbs the Texas sun all day and then bleeds it out at night. It can keep the city several degrees warmer than the surrounding prairies. On a summer night, that’s the difference between "tolerable" and "I'm melting."
Surviving the Summer Scorcher
If you think January is moody, wait until August. The average high hits 96°F, but we regularly see days well over 100°F. The record high for the area is a blistering 113°F, set back in 1980.
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Humidity is the real villain here. When the dew point climbs above 65, the air gets "oppressive." Your sweat won't evaporate. You just feel like you're walking through warm soup.
What to Actually Do About It
- Check the Dew Point: Forget the relative humidity percentage. If the dew point is under 55, it’s a beautiful day. If it’s over 65, stay near an AC unit.
- Watch the Winds: A north wind in Fort Worth almost always means a temperature drop is coming. Today’s 11 mph north wind is a perfect example—it’s keeping our high at a modest 44°F.
- Plan for "The Swing": In the spring and fall, it’s common to see 30-degree differences between sunrise and sunset.
Fort Worth is a great place to be, but you have to respect the thermometer. Whether it's the 100-degree summers or the sub-freezing January nights like we're seeing this weekend, the weather here is never boring.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your tire pressure this morning. Sudden drops in the temperature in Fort Worth—like the dip to 26°F expected tonight—often trigger those annoying "low pressure" sensors. Also, if you have outdoor plants, bring them in or cover them today; that overnight freeze is definitely coming for them.