North Texas marked its 35th consecutive day without measurable rainfall at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Thursday as Extreme Heat Warnings remained in effect across much of the region and temperatures reached 105 degrees for the fourth straight day.
The dry spell, which began July 15, has left soils extremely dry and elevated wildfire risks, according to the National Weather Service and local forecasts. High temperatures are expected to stay in the triple digits through at least the middle of next week, with only isolated 10-20% chances of rain through Saturday, primarily north of the metroplex.
Prolonged Dry Conditions Grip DFW
North Texas logged its 35th day without measurable precipitation at DFW Airport on August 20, FOX 4 reported. Highs hit 105 degrees Thursday, the third consecutive day at that mark and the fourth at or above 105.
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect until 8 p.m. CDT Thursday for Red River County and until 8 p.m. Friday for Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, Denton, and numerous surrounding counties, according to the National Weather Service. Morning lows ranged from the mid-70s in some western areas to the mid-80s in Dallas, with southwest winds of 8-12 mph.
Very high to extreme fire danger persists across the region due to the dry conditions. Isolated storms could bring lightning that sparks new fires through Saturday, FOX 4 noted.
Forecast Offers Limited Relief
Rain chances remain low. A stalled front along Interstate 40 may produce limited cloud cover and isolated showers or thunderstorms, with the highest odds late Thursday afternoon and evening along the Red River and in northeastern North Texas. Chances drop to 10% on Saturday and near zero by Sunday, KRLD reported.
High pressure is forecast to return Sunday, locking in sunshine and triple-digit heat through midweek. Friday’s high could approach or tie the record of 106 degrees, according to local forecasts.
DFW Airport has recorded 26 days of 100 degrees or higher this summer. The current dry stretch threatens to approach historic drought benchmarks if measurable rain continues to miss the official observation site.
Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity during peak heat, stay hydrated, and monitor local alerts as the pattern of extreme heat and drought continues across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Provided by Dallas Express
