North Texas didn't break a record Monday with a high of 88 degrees, but it did tie one.
The high afternoon reading matched the record 88 degrees set for March 4 in 1955, said Jesse Moore, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.An earlier forecast stated that strong southwesterly winds would help boost temperatures into the low 80s, but the weather service did not expect to break the record.The influence of the winds, however, turned out to be stronger than expected as they scooped up warm dry air from West Texas, Moore said."What happens is the air is actually sinking as it moves across our area," Moore said. "And, as it sinks, it warms and dries."Winds were clocked at 15-25 mph, but one gust reached 37 mph, Moore said.The mercury retreated slightly by late afternoon; it was 85 degrees at 4 p.m.But it is expected to slide even more.Around sunset Monday, a cold front is expected to arrive in the DFW region and winds will shift to northward, blowing 20-25 mph through the night. Temperatures will drop into the 40s overnight.By Tuesday morning, it will feel much colder with temperatures in the low 40s and strong northerly winds. Temperatures should reach 60 on Tuesday afternoon.Meanwhile, the high winds Monday also brought an elevated fire threat to parts of North Texas, the National Weather Service is advising. In Central Texas, Austin and parts of the Texas Hill Country will be under a red flag warning, meaning conditions are favorable for wildfires.Some outlying areas could see freezing temperatures Wednesday morning with temperatures expected to be in the mid-30s in the DFW area.But then it will start to warm up with temperatures in the 60s Wednesday and upper 60s Thursday and Friday.There is a slight chance of rain Saturday and Saturday night but it's too early to say if it will bring much-needed rain to the area."The computer models aren't in agreement right now," said National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Harris. "One says we'll get an inch of rain and the other says zero. So we'll just have to wait and see what they say later this week."Staff writer Bill Miller contributed to this report.Bill Hanna, (817) 390-7698Twitter: @fwhannaHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
