If you’re walking around Deep Ellum or heading to the Stock Show in Fort Worth this weekend, you’ve probably noticed the air feels like it’s biting back. It’s cold. Honestly, it’s the kind of North Texas cold that catches you off guard because we were just wearing short sleeves a few days ago. The weather dallas this week is basically a masterclass in Texas mood swings, starting with a legitimate freeze and ending with a humidity-soaked rain chance.
Don't let the Saturday clouds fool you. While you might see a stray "sprinkle" or a flake of virga (that’s rain that evaporates before it even hits your shoes), the real story is the thermometer. Tonight is going to be a "pipe-wrapper."
Why the Freeze Warning Actually Matters Tonight
We are looking at the coldest air of the 2025-2026 season so far. Usually, by mid-January, we’ve already had a few brutal nights, but this winter has been weirdly soft. That ends tonight, Saturday, January 17.
The National Weather Service has been pretty vocal about this: temperatures are cratering into the low-to-mid 20s. If you’re in Denton or McKinney, you might even see 21°F. This isn’t just "chilly." It’s a hard freeze. You’ve got to do the "Four Ps"—People, Pets, Plants, and Pipes. Seriously, if your outdoor hoses are still attached, go unscrew them now.
Meteorologist Lauren Bostwick at CBS Texas pointed out that while it feels freezing today because of those 20 mph north winds, the actual coldest temperatures arrive when the wind dies down early Sunday morning. That’s when the heat escapes into space and the ground turns into an ice cube.
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The MLK Day Cooldown
Once we crawl out of Sunday morning’s deep freeze, Sunday afternoon actually looks okay. We’ll rebound to about 60°F with plenty of sun. But don't get too comfortable.
Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day):
A reinforcing cold front slides in. It’s not a "snow-pocalypse" front, but it’s enough to shave 10 degrees off the high. Expect a high of 51°F and a low near 34°F. It’ll be mostly cloudy, making the outdoor parades feel a bit more somber and brisk.
Breaking Down the Mid-Week Humidity Spike
By Wednesday, the wind decides it wants to come from the Gulf of Mexico instead of Canada. You’ll feel it. The air gets heavy. The "dry cold" we’ve been dealing with flips into a "damp cool."
Here is what the weather dallas this week looks like as the system shifts:
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On Tuesday, we’re looking at a high of 55°F and a low of 28°F. It’s dry and overcast. Basically, a "blah" winter day.
Wednesday is where the change happens. Highs stay around 55°F, but the dew point jumps. There is a 60% chance of rain showers. We aren't talking about a massive thunderstorm—more like a persistent, annoying drizzle that makes I-35 a nightmare during rush hour.
Thursday keeps that overcast theme. High 55°F, low 41°F. The rain chances taper off for the metroplex, but East Texas (places like Tyler or Terrell) might still be getting soaked.
The Weekend Warmup (Yes, Really)
Texas weather is nothing if not a pendulum. By Friday, January 23, the clouds start to break. We’re pushing 65°F.
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Saturday, January 24, actually looks like the prize at the end of the week. We could hit 67°F. Of course, this being North Texas, that warmth comes with a "passing shower" risk, but it’s a far cry from the 22-degree morning we're facing tomorrow.
Common Misconceptions About Dallas Januaries
Most people think January is just a straight line of cold. It’s not. The historical average high for Dallas in January is about 57°F, but we rarely ever actually see a 57-degree day. We see 75 degrees or 25 degrees, and the average just happens to be the middle ground where we never stay.
Another myth? That "clouds mean it’s warmer." While clouds act like a blanket at night, during a North Texas cold front, they often trap the cold air near the surface and block the sun from warming us up. That’s exactly what is happening this Saturday.
Actionable Steps for the Next 48 Hours
Don't wait until 10:00 PM tonight to realize you don't have enough firewood or that your radiator fluid is low.
- Check your tires. Cold air makes the pressure drop. If your "low tire" light isn't on yet, it probably will be by Sunday morning.
- Drip the faucets. If you’re in an older pier-and-beam house, especially in areas like East Dallas or Oak Cliff, that 24°F low is high-risk for a burst pipe.
- Fire safety. If you're using a space heater because your apartment's HVAC is struggling, keep it three feet away from everything. The Dallas Fire Department usually sees a spike in calls during the first "real" freeze of the year for this exact reason.
- Cover the succulents. If you left your potted plants out during the mild start to the month, bring them in by 6:00 PM tonight.
The weather dallas this week is going to require a heavy coat on Sunday morning, an umbrella on Wednesday, and maybe just a light sweater by next Saturday. Welcome to winter in the Metroplex. Keep an eye on the radar for that Wednesday morning commute, as the transition from dry air to rain often makes the roads extra slick with accumulated oil.