NORTH TEXAS — We’ve already had 15 days of triple-digit temperatures this year, and we’ll add at least seven more to that number before this streak of dangerous heat is over.
Our first weather warning is in effect from Friday and we will maintain these warnings until at least Wednesday next week.
We are forecasting the highest temperatures of the year and heat indices could reach up to 46 °C.
Before we get to our weather warnings, we have one more day where a heat advisory is in effect for North Texas. Temperatures are expected to be just above 38 degrees on Thursday, but heat indices could reach as high as 43 degrees.
Another concern we face due to the oppressive heat and drought is the increased risk of grass fires.
The greatest danger is west of Highway 281, where temperatures will be 10-15° above normal and southerly winds will be blowing at 10-15 mph. In the afternoon, as the sun beats down on us, relative humidity will drop to about 20-30%. We have already observed a brush fire in Parker County this afternoon, and it is likely that more fires will develop over the next few days.
Headlines about heat may be redundant for North Texans this late in the summer, but these weather warnings are nothing to sneeze at. There will be a 6-day stretch where extreme heat warnings are likely. You won’t want to be outside for long in the afternoons. Plan accordingly when it comes to weekend plans and dropping off/picking up the kids at school next week.