> At a Glance
> – Christmas 2025 hit 80°F in DFW, tying 2016 for second-warmest ever
> – A high-pressure ridge kept North Texas-and much of the U.S.-unseasonably warm
> – The all-time record of 80°F+ was set in 2021
> – Why it matters: Holiday travelers and last-minute shoppers enjoyed T-shirt weather, but it’s another marker of Texas’ warming December extremes
North Texans opened gifts under sunny skies and summer-like heat this Christmas as a sprawling high-pressure ridge sent temperatures soaring to 80 degrees, matching the second-warmest December 25 on record for Dallas-Fort Worth.
What Drove the Heat
The same ridge parked across the southern Plains funneled dry, mild air from the southwest, pushing readings well above the seasonal average. The phenomenon wasn’t local: most of the country reported pleasant or record-challenging warmth.
- 80°F at DFW International ties Christmas 2016
- Warmest Christmas on record remains 2021, when highs also cracked 80°F
- Overnight lows stayed in the 60s, limiting jacket use
Historic Holiday Weather Swings
While 2025 will be remembered for its balminess, Christmas in North Texas has delivered everything from snowdrifts to ice storms. The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth catalogs the most memorable events:
| Year | Event | Notable Totals |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Thunder-to-snow transition | 4-6″ western Denton & Collin counties |
| 2009 | Christmas Eve snowstorm | Snow still on ground 12/25 |
| 2000 | Cold rain with pockets of ice | Nearly 2″ rain, temps 32-34°F |
| 1997 | Rain-to-flurries | Up to ½″ snow by morning |
| 1975 | First measurable snow in decades | 0.4″ |
| 1926 | Fort Worth 2″, Dallas 6.3″ | Rapid melt by afternoon |
| 1879 | Solid sleet/snow pack | 1″ crust “no hoof print” |
Earliest documented event: 1841-six soldiers tracking a bear through 6″ of snow near present-day White Rock Lake.
Key Takeaways
- Christmas 2025’s 80°F high ties 2016 for second-warmest ever recorded in DFW
- A dominant high-pressure ridge triggered the coast-to-coast warm spell
- Despite recent warmth, North Texas has seen everything from 6″ snowdrifts to freezing rain on December 25
- Records date back more than 180 years, showcasing the region’s wide holiday weather spectrum
From sweltering sunshine to white-out snow, DFW’s Christmas extremes show no sign of settling into “normal.”
