As of 5:35 a.m. CDT today, Dallas was already waking up in a sweat. Cloudy, muggy air had temperatures sitting around 81°F at Dallas Love Field (KDAL), with south winds near 10 mph already stirring things up. Once the morning cloud cover clears, the heat will kick up another notch. Overnight lows are only expected to dip into the upper 70s, so there will be very little relief after dark.
Afternoon Heat and Evening Storms
Through this afternoon, temperatures are expected to climb into the mid 90s with a high near 94°F and heat index values topping out around 103°F. South winds of 10 to 15 mph with gusts near 25 mph should keep it feeling breezy, even if not exactly comfortable.
A weak boundary near the Red River could stir up scattered showers and a few thunderstorms late today into the next morning, mainly for counties north of I-20. The overall severe threat is low, but forecasters are not ruling out an isolated gusty downburst or two. No watches or warnings are in effect this morning, according to the National Weather Service Fort Worth.
Weekend Outlook and Cooling Relief
By Saturday, ridging is likely to build overhead, pushing afternoon highs into the upper 90s. Forecasts have Saturday briefly flirting with 99°F, with heat index readings that could land in the 100 to 108°F range. If those trends hold, forecasters say a Heat Advisory may be considered for parts of the area.
More widespread storm chances return next Sunday into early next week as a front moves through, offering at least some hope of a cooldown and a few downpours.
For anyone needing a break from the heat, the City of Dallas and its partners are operating Beat the Heat cooling sites at community centers and libraries. Locations and hours are available through the City of Dallas cooling centers.
How To Stay Safe
With heat and humidity both running high, it is a good day to pace yourself and take basic precautions:
- Limit strenuous outdoor activity during the warmest part of the day.
- Drink plenty of water even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Check on elderly neighbors, people with health issues, and anyone without reliable air conditioning.
- Secure loose patio furniture and other outdoor items ahead of gusty afternoon winds.
- Avoid driving through heavy rain under thunderstorms, and never try to cross flooded roads.
Keep an eye on updated forecasts before heading out for evening plans as the pattern shifts toward stormier weather.
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