Dallas-Fort Worth is on track to set weather records as sweltering heat continues to hit the area this summer.
While most Texans are used to a scorching summer, the region is expected to see the most 100-degree days in a year since 2013. North Texas could reach between 100 to 105 degrees on Wednesday, and temperatures are expected to remain in the triple digits in D-FW through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth.
As the weather remains toasty, here’s what we know about this summer so far:
It’s hot. And it’s going to stay that way.
D-FW has already had more 100-degree days this year than in the previous three years, according to data from the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. Tuesday marked the 19th day this year of 100-degree temperatures.
The record high for the summer was recorded in 1980, when temperatures hit 113 degrees on June 27, according to weather service data. D-FW hit 106 degrees this year on July 8.
Experts have predicted this summer will likely be hotter than normal, but the heat is unlikely to surpass the blistering summers of 1980 or 2011, which are considered anomalies, according to WFAA-TV (Channel 8).
Hospitalizations for heat-related emergencies are way up. Here’s how to avoid your own stay.
Emergency responders in North Texas have reported a sharp increase in cases related to heat. MedStar, the EMS authority for Fort Worth and 14 other cities in North Texas, reported 455 heat-related responses from May 1-July 11, 2022, up from 211 total responses during the same period last year.
Dallas Fire-Rescue reported a tripled increase in responses: from May 1-July 12, 2022, the department responded to 239 emergencies, as opposed to 71 during the same period in 2021.
To avoid any heat-related illnesses, the weather service said North Texans should take precautions while outside. MedStar says those illnesses can be prevented by following five tips:
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water during the day, especially if you are engaged in any strenuous activity. Sports drinks are also a good choice if you’re exercising or working in hot conditions.
- Ventilate: Stay in a place where there is plenty of air circulating to keep your body cool. If you are indoors and don’t have access to air conditioning, open windows and use a fan.
- Cover up: Wear light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to avoid absorbing the sun’s light and trapping heat. Wear a hat to shield yourself from the sun, but once you feel yourself getting warm, remove any items covering your head, as they can trap heat close to your body.
- Limit activity: Heatstroke can occur in less than an hour when you are participating in strenuous activity on a hot day. If you feel yourself getting hot or light-headed, stop and rest in a cool place out of the sun. Be sure to drink water or a sports drink before, during and after any strenuous activity.
- Check on loved ones: The elderly are especially vulnerable to heat-related emergencies and may not be aware of how hot it can get in their homes. Call on older friends and family members regularly to make sure they are OK.
The weather is causing issues with the power grid. If blackouts roll, here’s what to do.
Higher temperatures mean more demand on the power grid. On Wednesday the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s power grid operator, issued its second conservation alert for Texans and businesses to conserve energy as the power grid reached peak demand. If demand isn’t met, rolling blackouts or outages may be possible.
If a blackout occurs, Texans should make plans for their homes before, during and after it happens.
- Before a blackout: ensure power banks are charged, stock up on canned goods and bottled water and take note of local cooling centers. Also conserve energy by rotating fans counterclockwise for a wind chill effect, and use blinds or curtains during the day.
- During a blackout: know the signs of heat exhaustion and stroke in humans and pets, and keep any generators running in cool and ventilated areas.
- After a blackout: throw away all food if the temperature inside the fridge exceeded 40 degrees.
Make sure to keep an eye on your plants and pets.
The heat affects plants as much as people, so to maintain a green thumb, experts say plants should be watered in the morning before the moisture is evaporated by the sun. The soil for plants should also be kept moist so the roots do not dry out.
Potted plants should be monitored closely as their containers dry faster and need more water than outdoor plants. Experts say the best plants are those native to Texas as they require less water than other plants, and they are used to the heat.
Pets can become ill in the heat if they are left unsupervised. Pets with longer or darker fur, or those with flat or pushed-in faces may have extra trouble managing heat.
Pet owners should take extra care of their furry friends this summer and look for signs of heat stroke, including anxiousness, restlessness, excessive panting and drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal gum and tongue color or unsteadiness. Pets should also never be left in parked vehicles.
There are resources available to help you deal with the heat.
Cooling centers are available in Dallas and are located throughout D-FW:
- Salvation Army facilities offer air conditioning and water.
- Dallas County centers have been set up in each district and will offer air conditioning and limited supplies of water.
- Tarrant County has community centers and libraries throughout the county.
- Denton County centers have air conditioning, and some operate as overnight shelters for those who need it.
