Clear skies and a very dry airmass allowed temperatures to fall quickly overnight. The lack of wind allowed radiational cooling to take place. As you can see on the temperature graphic topography and local features play a large role in radiational cooling. This is the kind of morning where temperatures could easily vary ten degrees over a few miles if you were to measure in a valley and then on a hill.

The dewpoint temperatures across Texas remain in the teens to thirties. The airmass is quite dry. With clear skies and increasing southwest winds temperatures will soar this afternoon.

Wednesday Afternoon High Temperature Forecast

High temperatures this afternoon will be markedly warmer. The coolest readings will be in Northeast Texas and East Texas with temperatures peaking in the 60s. The Interstate 35 corridor from the Red River south to San Antonio and points west will peak in the 70s. The Texas Panhandle, West Texas, Permian Basin, Concho Valley, Big Country, and Northeast Texas will top out in the upper 70s. A couple 80 degree readings are possible. Childress forecast high temperature is 80 degrees this afternoon.

If you’ve been following our blog the past week you know we probably will have fire danger. Combine that expectation with well-above average temperatures and gusty southwest winds. The fire weather meteorologists have highlighted a large area of elevated fire weather concern for today.  That elevated risk includes North Texas, Central Texas, the Hill Country, Big Country, Concho Valley, and West Texas. An even higher risk zone – the critical risk – includes the eastern Texas Panhandle, Caprock, and Northwest Texas. A critical fire risk zone is where climatology favorable conditions for wildfires are indicated. Both zones will have conditions highly favorable for the spread of fires. Caution should be used when dealing with any flammable objects outdoors.

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Thursday Morning Low Temperature Forecast

Another clear night is forecast with temperatures falling back into the 30s and 40s across Texas. It won’t be as cold as this morning. Dry weather looks to continue through at least Sunday Night when we may see a chance for a few showers. Above-average temperatures remain likely for the next week.