A remarkable cold front has engulfed the Dallas-Fort Worth region in a winter chill over the past few days. As we approach the end of the week, forecasts indicate temperatures are expected to peak at a mere 37 degrees on Friday afternoon, setting a new record for the coldest February 21st afternoon in history. This starkly contrasts the usual high of 62 degrees and low of 41 for this time of year.
The region woke up to the coldest morning of the year so far on Thursday, with temperatures plunging to a staggering 12 degrees, shattering previous daily records. The day before saw the mercury drop to 19 degrees on Wednesday morning, foreshadowing the deep freeze that has gripped the area.
While some lake-effect snow was detected on radar this morning, it appeared to dissipate before reaching the ground. Record low temperatures are expected to be widespread on Friday morning, spanning from the Central and Southern Plains to the Southeast, with readings averaging 20-30 degrees below normal.
Looking ahead, meteorologist Jonathan Belles from weather.com anticipates that Friday will mark the peak of the cold spell across the contiguous United States before a gradual warm-up sets in through the early part of next week. This frigid air mass was ushered southward by winter storms Jett and Kingston.
Belles reassures that, with no major storm systems on the horizon, the country can expect respite from the cold until the final days of the month.
