The temperature yesterday, July 20, reached 108°F at DFW Airport. This breaks the old record of 105°F set in 2012 (and 2000). The incredible, record breaking heat wave will continue today with likely another daily record being broken. Today’s record is 107°F set in 2012. Forecasted highs today are expected to be in 110°F to 115°F range. There is a chance the all-time hottest temperature record at DFW could be challenged (113°F set on June 26 and 27, 1980). We have an incredible ridge in place pushing nearly 600 dm, record H85 temps of 30°C, and a front pushing south forcing our winds to be westerly/southwesterly (which is a hot downsloping flow for us) and aiding in compressional warming. This is the setup to really get us HOT. Again, if you must be outdoors please take extra precautions to avoid heat related illnesses, such as drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids to stay hydrated, and taking frequent breaks in an air conditioned environment. It cannot be stressed enough how incredibly dangerous this type of heat can be.

Yesterday, DFW Airport set a record high temperature of 108°F. This breaks the old record of 107°F set in 1925. DFW will likely set another record high today as the record of 105°F set in 2012 will easily be broken with forecast values near 110°F.

A front will be pressing south placing North Texas in compressional warming tomorrow with a west/southwest component to the wind. Combine with near record H85 temps of 30°C and a high pressure ridge approaching 600 dm, may allow for temperatures to get out of control. The all-time record high of 113°F (hottest ever recorded) set on June 26th and 27th, 1980 could be in jeopardy with this type of setup.

The National Weather Service office in Fort Worth has already issued an Excessive Heat Watch beginning tomorrow. This will likely get upgraded this afternoon to an Excessive Heat Warning. This is a very rare issuance for our area. What an Excessive Heat Warning means is that ambient air temperature and/or heat index values are expected to approach 110°F or greater for at least 2 consecutive days. A Heat Advisory remains in effect for Today. This is a much more common heat headline issued for DFW. A Heat Advisory is issued when ambient air temperatures are expected to exceed 103°F and/or heat index values are expected to reach 105°F for at least 2 consecutive days. 110°F plus heat at DFW is extremely rare. In fact, it has only occurred 12 times in a 120 years of weather records. Our hottest temperature on record is 113°F which occurred on June 26th and 27th, 1980. The current heat wave is expected to become quite severe and last through at least Monday. There is hope of a significant pattern change next week, and may even involve a cold front and increased rain chances. However, the heat may get exacerbated by the cold front before any real relief arrives. Please take greater precautions if being outdoors as the stress of this magnitude of heat can really limit the body’s ability to effectively cool itself leading to heat related illnesses, including heat stroke.

A severe heat wave is expected to grip the region this week with some of the hottest temperatures recorded in several years. Models are forecasting actual ambient high temperatures to be between 105°F and 110°F as early as Tuesday and lasting through at least next Sunday. Fortunately, heat index values may stay close to the ambient temperatures, or in some cases, below the ambient air temperature as we are expecting dewpoints to mix out by the maximum heat of the day. All of this is because of a strengthening high pressure system over the four corers region that will be expanding eastward as the week progresses. We have also had very little rain and have a parched ground that will bake in this type of setup, actually exacerbating the heat wave. Heat Advisories will likely be posted by tomorrow and actual Excessive Heat Warning criteria may be met in some areas. Residents should be aware of the extremely hot conditions and limit outdoor activity as much as possible. If you do have to be outdoors, plan to take frequent breaks and keep hydrated. These types of extreme temperatures can lead to heat related illness quickly, and even, heat stroke. The body loses its ability to effectively keep cool when temperatures get this hot.

Yesterday, June 22,  2018, the mercury officially hit 100°F at DFW Airport. This marks the first time of the summer 2018 season that the temperature hit the century mark. The last time DFW Airport hit 100°F was last August 19, 2017. This did not affect the record for the date which still remains as 103°F set in 1953. This is also a few weeks ahead of the average first 100 degree date, which typically occurs in mid-July. We average about sixteen 100 degree days per summer season.

4.72 inches of rain was officially recorded at DFW Airport on February 28, 2018. This makes February 2018 the wettest February on record at DFW Airport (11.31 inches recorded for the month) shattering the old record of 7.40 inches in February 1997. It also makes the 2017-2018 winter tied with 1931-32 winter for the wettest winter on record for DFW. It is also the most rain recorded on any single day during the month of February. It also shattered the daily rain record for February 28th, which was previously 0.92 inches set in 2001.