Now that meteorological winter has ended (December through February), it is official that 2016-2017 is the hottest winter on record for DFW with an average temperature of 53.8°F.
February 2017 is also the hottest February on record for DFW with an average temperature of 60.6°F some 10.7°F above normal.
In addition, the winter of 2016-2017 also set a record of 80°F+ degree days in a given winter with 14 days of temperatures at or above 80°F.
Technically, we can still experience freezing temperatures through mid April, but so far 2016-2017 has the lowest number of recorded freezes in a cold season with only 11 days. Freezes are actually measured from October through April. This is 3 days fewer than the lowest prior record of 14 freezes set in several winters.
Below are the top five years of the above records:
Top 5 Hottest Winters:
- 2016-2017 – 53.8°F
- 1999-2000 – 53.1°F
- 1906-1907 – 52.9°F
- 1951-1952 – 52.8°F
- 1931-1932 – 52.0°F
Top 5 Hottest Februarys:
- 2017 – 60.6°F
- 1976 – 58.4°F
- 1930 – 57.6°F
- 2000 – 57.3°F
- 1932 – 56.8°F
Top 5 Winters with the Most 80+ Degree Days
- 2016-2017 – 14 days
- 2005-2006 – 10 days
- 1908-1909 – 10 days
- 1995-1996 – 9 days
- 1951-1952 – 8 days
Top 5 Fewest 32-Degree Days in a Cold Season:
- 2016-2017 – 11 freezes*
- 2011-2012 – 14 freezes
- 1999-2000 – 14 freezes
- 1931-32 – 14 freezes
- 1930-1931 -14 freezes
*Could still change as we can technically still reach freezing until about mid-April.