Houston, TX — Just days before Thanksgiving, an unusually intense burst of November heat is gripping the South, breaking long-standing temperature records and pushing conditions 10 to 20 degrees above average across multiple states.
Meteorologists say this heatwave is one of the most dramatic late-season warm-ups the region has seen in decades.
Texas Cities Smash Daily Temperature Records
On Tuesday, several Texas cities soared well into the 80s, marking some of their warmest mid-November days on record. Waco reached a sweltering 87°F, while Austin climbed to 86°F. In Dallas, temperatures also hit 87°F, making it the warmest late-November day the city has experienced in 20 years.
But the biggest heat milestone unfolded in Houston, which recorded its 245th day of temperatures above 80°F this year — breaking the previous record of 243 days, set back in 2012. And with forecasts predicting low- to mid-80s through the remainder of the week, that record is expected to grow even further.
Heat Wave Expands Eastward Through the End of the Week
According to meteorologists, the warm spell is not confined to Texas. From Wednesday through Friday, additional daily high-temperature records are expected to be challenged or broken across the region, stretching from Houston all the way to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cities like Jackson, Mississippi, may see temperatures spike to 81°F on Thursday, while Atlanta is set to remain stuck in the upper 70s for several consecutive days — highly unusual for mid-November.
These near-summer-like conditions have left residents swapping sweaters for short sleeves and have raised questions about how climate patterns may be shifting across the South.
Heat Exits This Weekend, But Brings New Weather Threats
As the heat builds throughout the week, it is expected to begin pushing northward and weakening by the weekend. However, its departure will trigger another concern: a growing flood risk.
Meteorologists warn that as the warm, moisture-heavy air collides with a approaching cold front, a flood threat could materialize on Thursday from parts of Texas up through Missouri. Heavy rainfall, flash flooding, and thunderstorms are all on the table.
Southeast and Northeast See Opposite Pattern — Cooler Than Normal
While the South sweats under unseasonably high temperatures, the Southeast and parts of the Northeast will experience the opposite. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures in those regions are expected to dip to cooler-than-normal levels at times, offering an early taste of winter while the South experiences something closer to spring.
This dramatic temperature contrast across regions highlights an increasingly common pattern of weather extremes — lingering heat on one side of the country and sharp cool-downs on the other.
What’s Behind the November Heat?
Meteorologists point to a combination of a strong ridge of high pressure, persistent southerly winds, and unusually warm Gulf moisture contributing to the prolonged heat. These conditions work together to block colder air from moving south, allowing temperatures to climb steadily.
Many experts also note that climate warming trends are making it more likely for regions to see extended stretches of above-average temperatures, even deep into fall.
Have you noticed the weather feeling more unpredictable or extreme lately where you live? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear how this wild November heat is affecting your area!
