If you think this summer is hot already, the coming week could be just brutal.
Sunday's high was 103, the 30th straight day of triple-digit temperatures. We are now solid number two for the most consecutive days over 100 degrees, said WFAA meteorologist Steve McCauley. Only 12 more days to go and we will hit the number-one spot, tying with that dreadful summer of 1980.
Our heat advisory has been replaced with an excessive heat warning through Thursday evening, which means that daily heat index values could approach or exceed 110 degrees.
It should stay this week throughout the entire week, and it may even go into the second week of August as well, McCauley said.
There hasn't even been any relief in the overnight hours; we're still setting record warm overnight lows. The mercury dipped only to 84 early Sunday morning; the average low for this time of year is 75 degrees.
Sunday's highs ranged form 103 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to 105 at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth and Executive Airport in Dallas.
The forecast is calling for 99 degrees by noon on Monday, with a late afternoon high of 107. Figuring in the humidity, it could feel as hot as 111.
The National Weather Service urges regular checks on elderly friends and family members or people who have health issues.
Working outdoors should include frequent rest breaks in the shade or in an air conditioned space. Be sure to wear light, loose-fitting clothing and drink plenty of water.
The drought conditions also continue. July brought just 0.09 inch of rain to North Texas, more than 2 inches below normal for the month. We are 5 inches below normal for the year.
Don't look for any widespread rain coming up anytime soon, McCauley said. Maybe one or two little showers, but even the rain that comes from those would probably evaporate before hitting the ground.
E-mail wzwirko@wfaa.com
