Shreveport, LA – Record-breaking warmth surged across the ArkLaTex on Friday, with Shreveport setting an all-time December high temperature.
According to the National Weather Service in Shreveport, the temperature at Shreveport Regional Airport reached 85 degrees on Friday, December 26, breaking the previous all-time December record of 84 degrees, which had been set on December 7, 2022. The new mark establishes the warmest December temperature ever recorded in Shreveport.
Texarkana also reached 85 degrees, breaking its previous all-time December record of 84 degrees, which dated back to December 7, 1939. Additional daily high temperature records were set across the region, including Tyler and Longview, Texas, which both reached 83 degrees, and El Dorado, Arkansas, which hit 80 degrees.
Meteorologists attributed the unusual warmth to a strong upper-level ridge and persistent southerly flow, allowing summer-like air to surge northward well beyond typical late-December conditions. Average high temperatures for this time of year are normally in the upper 50s to lower 60s, making Friday’s readings more than 20 degrees above normal.
While the warm conditions were short-lived, the records underscore the volatility of winter weather patterns across the southern United States. The National Weather Service noted that colder air is expected to return following the passage of a strong cold front, bringing temperatures closer to seasonal averages.
Residents were reminded that rapid temperature swings can impact energy use, agriculture, and outdoor activities, even during the winter months. Officials continue to monitor longer-term trends and encourage the public to stay informed through official weather sources.
Additional climate summaries and updates are available through the National Weather Service.
