January across Central and South Texas began with unusually warm conditions, with temperatures well above seasonal averages in the first week of the month. High pressure and southerly flows brought days that felt more like spring than winter, with some locations recording temperatures in the 70s and even 80s early on — far above typical January readings for the region. This mild start kept many winter weather concerns at bay and pushed a warmer overall monthly average before the second half of January.

However, that warm pattern didn’t last. A strong Arctic cold front surged into the state around Jan. 23, pushing significantly colder air into Central Texas and ending the mild stretch. Temperatures dropped sharply, bringing the coldest air of the season so far, along with winter precipitation and conditions that prompted advisories and school closures across the area. By the month’s end, January had shifted from unseasonably warm to decidedly wintry, illustrating a striking temperature swing over just a few weeks.