Amarillo, Texas – Unseasonably warm weather across the Texas Panhandle on Christmas Eve could bring near-record or record-breaking high temperatures.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service office in Amarillo, Christmas Eve is expected to be unusually warm, with afternoon highs ranging from the upper 70s to the lower 80s across much of the region. Forecast graphics shared by the agency show widespread warmth extending across the Panhandle.
The National Weather Service reports that Amarillo and Borger each have a 50 percent chance of tying or breaking their daily record high temperatures. The current Christmas Eve record high is 81 degrees in Amarillo and 82 degrees in Borger.
Dalhart is also expected to see warm conditions, with forecast highs near 82 degrees, though the chance of tying or breaking a record there remains below 5 percent, according to the National Weather Service.
In addition to city forecasts, Palo Duro Canyon is expected to reach a high near 83 degrees, which would be well above normal for late December.
Officials also noted a very low chance, less than 5 percent, that all-time December record highs could be broken in Amarillo or Borger. The all-time December record high currently stands at 83 degrees for Amarillo and 82 degrees for Borger.
The unusually warm conditions are expected to make for a mild and dry Christmas Eve across the region, with no precipitation impacts anticipated in the immediate forecast.
While the warm temperatures may be favorable for outdoor holiday activities, residents are reminded that rapid weather changes are common during the winter season. Travelers and those with holiday plans are encouraged to continue monitoring updated forecasts.
The National Weather Service advises residents to stay informed on local conditions as the holiday period continues.
