Texas 2026 Discussion/Observations

[Stx_Thunder]

A new year? A new TX thread.

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Looking pretty warm with more widespread sig ridging influence across the central states (again), to start 2026.

Euro and ensemble already going up to 20 C on 850Mb temps ('plain & simple' way above normal this time of year) in some spots the next several days. Which that alone leaves me with almost 0 doubt, more sfc temp records are going to be broken across much of the state, once again.

Along with even dryline influence invading the state as well from the west (more indicative of an early springlike zonal flow pattern). Which will only add more daytime high record-breaking fuel potential to this second (virtually inevitable now) winter heat wave.

"Winter's over, ya'll!"  

[donsutherland1]

The temperature soared to 89F (31.7C) in San Antonio. That tied the all-time January record that was set on January 30, 1971.

[Stx_Thunder]

Several cities in the eastern half of state broke daytime high temp records today. Due to the dryline reaching all the way east into ETX. A deeper westerly downslope flow was found even in College Station and Tyler in the afternoon.

Aside from the tied all-time January temp maximums in both Austin and San Antonio, the biggest jump in maximum daytime high from previous record for today (January 2), was actually in Waco.