North Texas’ hottest day of year Monday, today could repeat the heat | Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Temperatures crept up to 102 degrees Monday, making it the hottest day of the year so far and the forecast calls for a searing 103 today.

But take heart. A cold front will move into North Texas on Saturday, bringing cooler temperatures and the chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms.

The break comes after five 101-degree days Aug. 3 through 7, and temperatures are expected to continue to reach at least 102 until the cold front moves in, said Jesse Moore, National Weather Service meteorologist.

The record for 100-degree days — 71, beginning June 1 and ending Sept. 13 with a 108-degree day — was set in 2011.

Temperatures will stay in the mid 90s through the middle of next week after the cold front moves in, Moore said.

Possible storms to the north and west of the Metroplex could produce winds gusting 50 to 60 mph, but no rain or high winds, Moore said.

Today

Highs and lows: High of 103 degrees about 5 p.m., low of 82 degrees just before sunrise.

Heat index value: 107-degree heat index value to peak at about 2 p.m.

Rain chances: Less than 10 percent

Outlook

Tonight: Partly cloudy with lows around 80 degrees.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot with highs reaching about 102. Heat index values could reach as high as 107. Wednesday night will stay mostly clear with lows around 80.

Thursday and Friday: Thursday is expected to stay sunny and hot with highs around 102 degrees. Friday will be mostly sunny with highs near 100 degrees, and a 20 percent chance for showers and thunderstorms. Thursday night will be mostly clear with lows in the lower 80s. Friday night will start mostly cloudy then become partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance for rain.

Cooling stations

The Salvation Army opened cooling stations across the Metroplex in June.

Two stations are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week: The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter at 1855 E. Lancaster Ave. in Fort Worth and The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter at 5302 Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas.

Twelve Salvation Army community centers have cooling stations available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:

• Fort Worth, Northside Corps, 3023 N.W. 24th St.
• Arlington, 712 W. Abram St.
• Denton, 1508 E. McKinney St.
• Cedar Crest (East Oak Cliff), 1007 Hutchins Road
• Irving, 250 E. Grauwyler Road
• McKinney, 600 Wilson Creek Parkway
• Oak Cliff, 1617 W. Jefferson Blvd.
• Pleasant Grove, 8341 Elam Road
• Garland, 451 W. Ave D
• Lewisville, 207 Elm St.
• Plano, 3528 E. 14th St.
• Waxahachie, 620 Farley St.