Dallas-Fort Worth could reach 108 degrees while Houston, Austin and San Antonio also face days of extreme heat and little rain.
DALLAS — Some of the hottest weather of the summer is spreading across Texas this week, with temperatures reaching well above 100 degrees in several major cities. North Texas is facing the most extreme conditions, but Houston, Austin and San Antonio are also dealing with dangerous heat and very little rainfall.
The National Weather Service placed Dallas and much of North Texas under an Extreme Heat Warning through 8 p.m. Wednesday. Temperatures in the Dallas-Fort Worth area could reach 108 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday.
The dry air in North Texas is creating another problem: wildfire danger. Low humidity, dry grass and several days without meaningful rain are making it easier for fires to start and spread. The NWS reported that the fire danger was already high Monday and could reach the very-high category by Wednesday. Winds are not expected to be especially strong, which may slow the spread of some fires, but officials are still asking residents to be careful with anything that could create sparks or flames.
Fire danger is also increasing in parts of East Texas. Local fire officials told KSLA that some fires that appeared to be extinguished have started burning again after dry vegetation was exposed to wind. Burn bans are in effect in many counties, and officials are asking people to avoid outdoor burning. Texas A&M’s Texas Weather Connection produces daily fire-danger maps using weather, fuel dryness and land conditions.
The Houston area is not expected to become as hot as Dallas, but high humidity will make conditions dangerous. Houston is forecast to reach about 98 degrees Tuesday, 99 Wednesday and around 100 Thursday. The National Weather Service says heat-index values across Southeast Texas could generally range from 102 to 107 degrees, with little chance of meaningful rainfall. A Heat Advisory is in effect for parts of the region.
In Austin, temperatures are expected to reach about 103 degrees Tuesday and Wednesday and could rise to 104 Thursday. The National Weather Service office serving Austin and San Antonio says South-Central Texas will remain hot and mostly dry for several days. Highs across the region are expected to range from the middle 90s to about 104 degrees, while heat-index readings could reach between 100 and 112 degrees in some locations.
San Antonio is facing similar conditions. The forecast calls for a high around 101 degrees Tuesday, followed by 102 Wednesday and 103 Thursday. Forecasters expect little or no rain to provide relief. Although the weather is hot and dry, the National Weather Service said Tuesday that there was no Red Flag Warning or Fire Danger Statement in effect for the Austin-San Antonio forecast area.
The heat is being caused by a strong area of high pressure over Texas and nearby states. High pressure causes air to sink, which limits clouds and thunderstorms and allows temperatures to rise. In North Texas, forecasters see only a very small chance of rain through much of the week. A weak front could approach later in the week, but it is not expected to bring a major cool-down.
The National Weather Service is warning people across Texas to limit hard outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, drink plenty of water and take regular breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas. People should also check on elderly neighbors and others who may not have reliable air conditioning. Children and pets should never be left inside parked vehicles, even for a short time.
For now, there is little statewide relief in sight. Dallas-Fort Worth is facing the highest temperatures and a growing grass-fire threat, while Houston is dealing with higher humidity and dangerous heat-index readings. Austin and San Antonio are also expected to remain above 100 degrees on several afternoons. Forecasters say hot and mostly dry weather could continue through the week and, in some parts of Texas, well into the second half of August.
