Baby it’s ~~cold~~ cool outside

Will Fort Worth see snow this winter? Here’s what to expect this season

Fort Worth is a wonderland whether it’s winter or not. | Photo by @rachel_delira

Today is the Winter Solstice, so we know the question on your mind, Fort Worthians — when’s it going to 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 the rest of 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 today, Dec. 21-Monday, March 20, 2023.

FTW-winter-weather-map-2024 — The southern states are expected to experience a warmer and dryer winter. | Map courtsey of NOAA

🌡️ Temperature

This week is a bit of an anomaly with freezing temperatures and an expected windchill of 1-2°. However, for the next few months, think warm. This winter, Fort Worth has a 33-40% chance of temperatures being higher than normal.

🌨️ Precipitation

Expect slightly less precipitation. Fort Worth has a 33-50% chance of seeing below-normal snow and rainfall amount this winter.

FTW-sundance-square — 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. There is an average of fewer than six days of rainfall, so plan for cool, clear days, perfect for strolling through Trinity Park with a hot coffee from Ampersand in hand. Maybe head to Glen Rose for a hike in Dinosaur Valley.

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 in — but with a greater chance of high temps this year, that might not happen.

The most wonderful time of year to get out and explore the city is…

A. Spring
B. Summer
C. Fall
D. Winter

TELL US

Click here to have your event featured.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

A Very Merry Country Christmas | Wednesday, Dec. 21 + Thursday, Dec. 22 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Stockyards, 131 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $33-$110 | A tribute cast will perform the greatest country Christmas songs from Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Brooks and Dunn, Willie Nelson, and Kenny Chesney.

Thursday, Dec. 22

Santa’s Wonderland | Thursday, Dec. 22-Wednesday, Jan. 4 | 10 a.m. | Cabela’s, 12901 Cabelas Dr., Fort Worth | Free | Hop up on Santa’s lap and tell him what you’d like for Christmas. Bonus points if Santa happens to bring you Cabela’s gear.

Friday, Dec. 23

Squeezebox Bandits | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7 p.m. | Magnolia Motor Lounge, 3803 Southwest Blvd., Fort Worth | $10 | The Texas musicians will bring their accordion twang to Fort Worth.
Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland | Friday, Dec. 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $21-$51 | See the all-new, must-see performance that will transport you to a magical land far away in an unforgettable holiday show experience.

Saturday, Dec. 24

Stockyards Championship Rodeo | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 7:30 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $54-96 | Saddle up at this weekly local rodeo in the Stockyards.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

53º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Civic

Happy holidays — City offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 26 and all public library branches will be closed from Saturday, Dec. 24-Monday, Dec. 26 in recognition of Christmas. Check the full list of municipal closures.

Development

NAS JRB Fort Worth completed a $4.8 million runway project last week. The base extended the runway threshold from 9,000 ft to 12,000 ft, bringing the total area of the runway to 200,000 sqft. ✈️

Community

Mark your calendar for Trinity Habitat’s second annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Build on Monday, Jan. 16, 2023. Trinity Habitat will provide everything you need, just bring yourself and a spirit for helping others. Email to sign up. 🏡

Environment

The city kicked off its first Urban Forestry Master Plan last month to preserve and expand the city’s tree canopy. So far 900 people have responded to the city’s survey about the vision, values, and preferences on the landscape in Fort Worth. Share your thoughts by the end of February. 🌳

Concert

Grammy-nominated R&B group New Edition is bringing some nostalgia back to Cowtown next year. The group’s “Legacy Tour” will stop at Dickies Arena on Sunday, April 2 with artists Keith Sweat, Guy, and Tank. Grab tickets. 🎟

Number

3:39.83. That’s how fast Keller ISD sophomore Maximus Williamson swam the 400-meter Individual Medley at the 2022 Winter Junior Nationals in Austin earlier this month. The speedy teen broke the 2002 record of 3:42.08 set by Olympian Michael Phelps. 🥇

Sports

Need to know just enough of what happened during the World Cup for your next holiday party? Get The GIST.*

Shop

Don’t stress over finding last-minute gifts. Make gifting easy by selecting a gift card to our FTWtoday shop, Six & Main. From candles to clothes, there’s something for everyone. Purchase a gift card today. 🎁

Trending

ICYMI, Allure released its 2022 Best of Beauty Awards. Some of our favorite products made the cut, including Caudalie’s Premier Cru The Cream, R+Co’s revolutionary dry shampoo, and this cruelty-free eyebrow conditioner with 2,500+ five-star reviews. We’re also adding this brightening under-eye cream to our cart.*

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Culture

Upcoming winter holidays

Prepare for a packed December. | Photo by Olivia Gaines via Pexels

You’ve probably heard a lot of “happy holidays” this season — with good reason. Plenty of cultures celebrate the start of astronomical winter, the end of the year, or just the coming of cold weather by gathering with loved ones and giving thanks.

Look forward to:

Yule (begins today, Dec. 21), an ancient Germanic solstice festival. Celebrants mark the shortest day of the year and balance between light and dark.
Hanukkah (ongoing), the Jewish Festival of Lights which began the evening of Sunday, Dec. 18 and ends on Monday, Dec. 26.
Christmas (Dec. 25), a cultural and religious festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Kwanzaa (Dec. 26), a week of African American and pan-African celebration culminating in Karamu on Saturday, Dec. 31.
Lunar Bodhi Day (Dec. 30), celebrating the Buddha’s enlightenment through acts of kindness. “Secular” Bodhi Day was celebrated on Dec. 8.

You don’t need to celebrate them all — but let’s all celebrate together. Plus, if you’re planning to spread the love to friends afar, there’s still time to send a holiday gift or message.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Kate.

Editor’s pick: Despite the warmer weather predictions, the next few days are going to be frigid. ☃️

As someone who spent a winter in upstate New York, I’m familiar with the right way to tie your scarf (over your nose), why it’s a terrible idea to park at the bottom of a hill before a big snowfall (spoiler alert: a lot of shoveling), and how hard road crews work to keep streets safe for everyone.

If you’re a Texas-for-lifer and don’t have much exposure, check out the Fort Worth Report’s overview of what the city’s road crews have in store for the next few days. Stay warm out there, y’all.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Ring in 2023 with these 13 local NYE celebrations.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Rebecca McRobbie, Kate Mazade, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Camille McLeod | Advertise with us.

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