Wildfire, dangerous heat warnings in effect in D-FW

The relentless heat wave continues this week record-breaking heat.

Monday was officially the hottest day of the year for DFW with a high of 109. It will be followed up again today with a high of 109. That will be a record high, breaking the previous record of 108.

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for parts of North Texas through Wednesday. Expect DFW temperatures to range from 105 degrees to 110 degrees in the next few days.

A Red Flag Warning is also in effect from 10 AM Tuesday until midnight Wednesday with a critical fire danger due to hot, dry heat combined with breezy conditions. Any wildfires that ignite could spread very rapidly.

Fortunately, the humidity isn’t unbearable right now, so the heat index is only a degree or two higher than the air temperature.

But that is little comfort when it is this hot. And the heat wave will continue unabated all week and beyond, with no rain in sight.

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors to make sure they are staying cool.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. According to the National Safety Council, if it’s 95 degrees outside the internal temperature of a car could climb to 129 degrees in 30 minutes. After just 10 minutes, temperatures inside could reach 114 degrees.

A child’s body temperature heats up three to five times faster than an adult and heatstroke can begin when a person’s core body temperature reaches 104 degrees. A core temperature of 107 degrees is lethal, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the OccupationalSafety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heatstroke is an emergency! Call 911. The CDC has more here on heat-related illnesses.

Take care of your pets by providing them fresh, cool water and plenty of shade. Also, pets should not be left outside and unattended for too long. It’s too hot and they need to be brought inside.

-Meteorologist Grant Johnston

Latest Forecast

• TUESDAY: Sunny and very hot with a record high. Low: 84. High: 109. Wind: SW 10-15 mph.
• TONIGHT: Clear skies and warm. Low: 85. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
• WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot with a 10% chance for a stray storm. Low: 83. High: 107. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
• THURSDAY: Partly cloudy and very hot with a 20% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Low: 82. High: 101. Wind: E 10 mph.
• FRIDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 103. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
• SATURDAY: Sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 102. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
• SUNDAY: Sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 104. Wind: S 10 mph.
• MONDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 105. Wind: S 10 mph.
• TUESDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 104. Wind: S 10 mph.
• WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 103. Wind: S 10 mph.
• THURSDAY: Mostly sunny and very hot. Low: 81. High: 100. Wind: S 10 mph.