The Winter Solstice is approaching, so we know the question on your mind, Fort Worthians — when will it get cold? Thanks to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center , we know what temperatures and precipitation trends to expect in our city for December, January, and February.
While exact weather conditions typically can’t be predicted more than a week in advance, here’s a seasonal outlook to help you prepare for what winter will bring.
Reminder: Winter technically runs from December 21, 2023 to March 19, 2024.
El Niño is in place heading into this upcoming winter for the first time in four years.
Map courtesy of NOAA
🌡️ Temperature
The El Niño climate pattern is in place heading into this upcoming winter for the first time in four years — which is the main driver in the long-range winter forecast released by the Climate Prediction Center.
In North Texas, near-normal temperatures are forecast. Despite historic snow and ice events in years past, our extreme winter weather events with frozen precipitation are not likely in Texas. During the winter months, average temperatures will stay above freezing, with highs in the upper 50s and lows in the upper 30s.
Near-normal temperatures are expected during the winter months.
Photo by @jrh79_
🌨️ Precipitation
Winter precipitation under El Niño predicts wetter-than-average conditions across Texas through February 2024. Due to the expected forecast, it’s likely drought conditions will improve.
Cool temps won’t keep us from enjoying Sundance Square.
Photo by @ftwtoday
December data
Typically in Fort Worth, December’s temperatures fluctuate between an average low of 41.4° and an average high of 56.1° but expect to see more of those near-60° days this year. Pro tip: December has the least sunshine of the year with an average of 5.7 hours a day, so grab your sunshine break when you can.
Jump into January
In January, the average high and low temps are between 55.4° + 38.7°, the coldest month of the year. However, the Farmers’ Almanac predicted months ago that Texans will experience unseasonably cold weather throughout January and February, with a possible winter storm in mid-January.
February’s forecast
Historically, average highs in February warm a few degrees to 58.6°, with an average low of 42.3°. Yet, it’s also the month most likely to see snowfall — averaging 0.79 inches — but with a greater chance of high temps this year, that may not happen.