North Texas sees first 50s since May; near 90° Monday with fire risk
There is much to talk about regarding Sunday's high and low at DFW.
First off, the morning low at 59° was the first time in the 50s since May 12. The high Sunday of 76° was the coldest day since May 6. The also was exactly one degree below normal, ending a streak of 38 days in a row of above-normal highs at DFW.
Sunday was gorgeous, we enjoyed "severe blue" skies as dewpoints dropped down into the low 30s, an extremely dry air mass. As inconvenient as it was to get the first rain of October on a Saturday, it was very nice to get a perfect fall day for a Sunday that included the last day of the State Fair and a Cowboys victorious home game.
But on Monday, we have a problem.
Elevated fire risk to start the week
A developing low in the central plains will produce a powerful south-southwest wind by afternoon. The problem with very dry air like we had on Sunday, is that it holds no memory.
We can get a rapid warm-up with a warming wind. We'll start the day again in the 50s, but the sunshine, dry air and 35mph gusts will push the temperatures up to near 90°.
Typically, a daytime high is about 20° above the morning low. Monday, it'll be around 35° warmer than the low. Given the very dry conditions, we'll have elevated fire risk Monday and Tuesday.
Highs will again be in the 70s on Tuesday thanks to a brisk north wind and very dry air. Fire risk will again be a major concern. Please, no outdoor burning over the next couple of days. Don't park your car over tall grass and dispose of cigarette butts properly.
By late Thursday, a storm system will enter North Texas from the northwest. It'll bring several rain and storms chances all the way to early Saturday. We are watching Friday for the potential of strong to severe weather.