Excessive heat warning in effect as temp in Fort Worth soars to record 106 on Friday
Record heat bore down on the Dallas-Fort Worth region on Friday, and the forecast indicates more sweltering heat is in store for Saturday.
The temperature reached 106 degrees Friday afternoon at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, beating the record of 105 degrees set in 1952, according to meteorologist Jason Godwin of the National Weather Service. DFW International Airport saw a lower high of 103, he said, which fell a little short of the record of 106 set in 1941. But he said it was also the hottest day at the airport since July 2018.
Temperatures could exceed 105 on Saturday, according to the weather service. The records for Fort Worth Meacham and DFW airports on that date are 107, both set in 1951.
It could feel as hot as 110 with the humidity in the air, according to David Bonnette, another meteorologist with the weather service.
The weather service has issued its most severe heat advisory, an excessive heat warning, until 7 p.m. Saturday. “Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses,” the warning reads.
Bonnette advised anyone thinking about spending prolonged time outside to “know the differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
“One of the big giveaways that gives you the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is sweating,” he said. “So if you’re sweating a lot then you’re probably just exhausted — go in, take a break, get some water, sit in the air conditioning. (Or) just sit in the shade, cool off for a little bit. If you’re outside and you feel weak and you’re not sweating, then that’s a sign that you could be having a heat stroke.”
He added that in this case someone should “call 911 and get help immediately.”
As DFW residents brace for another day of intense heat Saturday, the weather service is also encouraging anyone with plans to go outside to wear light or loose-fitting clothing and try to schedule activities for the early morning or evening. Frequent breaks are recommended.
Children and pets shouldn’t be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, according to the excessive heat warning.
A high pressure system in the upper level of the atmosphere is leading to “drier, hotter weather across the region,” Bonnette said, and that has only been made worse by a “stalled out” cold front to the north. That has led to winds from the southwest contributing to the spike in heat, he said.
The cold front is expected to make its way into the DFW region on Sunday, leading to more normal temperatures for this time of year, he said. The high on Sunday is expected to be around 101, and temperatures could reach as low as 75 Sunday night, according to the weather service forecast.
Looking at the week ahead, temperatures are expected to reach around 93 on Monday, 94 on Tuesday, 93 on Wednesday and 94 on Thursday.
This story was originally published August 14, 2020 at 11:30 AM.
