Excessive heat warning in effect in North Texas through Wednesday

Temperatures are expected to surpass 100 degrees Tuesday and an excessive heat warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday for North Texas, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.

Medstar had treated seven patients for heat-related illnesses as of 3 p.m. Monday, when the temperature hit 99 degrees at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport.

Five of the patients were at the Opal Lee Walk for Freedom Juneteenth celebration in Fort Worth and two had to be transported to a hospital. Twenty other walk participants were treated on-site for heat-related illnesses at a cooling and re-hydration station.

Tuesday’s high temperature is expected to hit 102, which would mark the first time this year the 100-degree mark has been reached in DFW. The heat index value is forecast to be between 115-120, according to the weather service.

The high humidity in DFW makes the heat index rise, making it feel hotter and more uncomfortable outside, a meteorologist with the NWS said.

The average first 100-degree day in the DFW region is July 1. Last year’s first 100-degree day was June 11, when it reached 103, the first of 47 triple-digit days in DFW, according to the weather service.

Medstar activated its extreme weather response protocol at 3:04 p.m. Sunday, when it treated four patients for heat-related illnesses.

The biggest concerns for prolonged time in the sun are heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Heat exhaustion occurs when someone sweats and loses an excessive amount of water and salt. This can disturb circulation and interfere with brain function.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency that occurs when the body cannot cool itself off.

Medstar has a list of ways to protect yourself from heat-related illnesses, including staying hydrated, staying indoors or in the shade outside, and reducing physical activity.

The NWS echoed the same advice.

This story was originally published June 19, 2023 at 5:33 PM.