Midweek will bring a significant change in the weather as a noticeable bulge in the jet stream leads to much warmer conditions across Texas and the central Plains. Compared to the start of the weekend, temperatures are forecasted to increase by 30-40 degrees.
Temperatures are set to increase this week in the southern Plains, according to meteorologists at AccuWeather. A northward bulge in the jet stream across the central part of the country will bring above-average warmth to states such as Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
Feeling like spring
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By midweek, we can expect a significant increase in daytime temperatures, with highs reaching the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit. This marks a noticeable change from the cooler temperatures in the 30s and 40s we experienced at the beginning of the weekend. In fact, these climbing temperatures will be 10 to 20 degrees above the typical values for this time of year.
According to AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex DaSilva, the south-central region of the United States will experience a significant increase in daytime temperatures over the weekend and into midweek. Temperatures are expected to rise by 30-45 degrees Fahrenheit during this period.
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On Saturday, Feb. 17, Dallas experienced below-average temperatures, reaching only 45 degrees compared to the usual 62 degrees. Similarly, residents in Oklahoma City faced even colder conditions, with the daytime temperature not surpassing freezing point. However, relief is on the way as both cities are expected to warm up significantly in the coming days. By Wednesday, temperatures are forecasted to rise to the comfortable range of middle 70s to lower 80s.
Much of the Central region is expected to remain dry in the first half of this week, coupled with the arrival of spring-like temperatures. Thanks to a zone of high pressure, the southern Plains will experience calm and mild conditions, providing an excellent opportunity for outdoor activities for several days.
According to DaSilva, the high pressure system currently situated over Texas will gradually move towards the east, reaching the Gulf Coast by midweek. This movement will bring in a southerly flow across the region, resulting in warmer weather conditions.
On Wednesday, a couple of long-standing records in Texas, including Lubbock and Midland, could potentially be at risk. The forecast predicts that both cities will experience daytime temperatures just a few degrees shy of their respective daily records, dating back nearly 30 years.
How long will the warmth last?
Towards the end of the week, we can expect the prominent northward bulge in the jet stream to flatten out. As a result, the warm weather will gradually retreat across the South Central states. In many areas, temperatures will start to decrease by 10-15 degrees compared to the midweek values.
Areas farther south in Texas will experience the mild conditions for a slightly longer period compared to northern Texas and Oklahoma. Locations such as Houston and Brownsville can expect highs in the upper 70s and 80s to continue into the late week.
The Central states could see a slight increase in temperatures over the weekend as a new zone of high pressure settles in the area. However, the rise in highs is expected to be minimal, with only a few degrees.
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