Early Heat Wave Hits Dallas-Fort Worth Area
The first taste of sizzling Texas heat is heading to the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week. It is earlier than normal but doesn’t necessarily tell us anything about how severe the summer will be.
The National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office is expecting much of North Texas will top 100 degrees Wednesday for the first time this year. Areas to the south and west of Dallas-Fort Worth have the highest chance of breaking into the triple digits.
Historical Data and Trends
Historical data from the weather service shows the region usually doesn’t hit this mark until June or July. Hunter Reeves, a meteorologist with the weather service, said the average for the first 100-degree day is July 1.
The forecast for Wednesday would put the region ahead of schedule, but it’s not unheard of. There have been six other instances since 1900 of hitting triple digits in May, and sometimes it happens even earlier: The earliest recorded 100-degree day was on March 9 in 1911.
What Does This Mean for the Summer?
For those wondering if the early arrival of a 100-degree day means we’re likely to have more of them this summer, Reeves said it’s difficult to tell.
“It’s pretty hard to take something like that and extrapolate it through the rest of the summer,” he said.
Starting the season of 100-degree days earlier could mean more of them simply because there are more opportunities for the correct conditions to develop, but it’s not a guarantee. Reeves said it could be the beginning of a trend or an outlier.
Previous Years’ Data
After dozens of triple-digit days in 2022 and 2023, last year was mild by comparison.
Predictions for This Summer
The first day topping 100 may not inherently be indicative of summer trends, but officials have released predictions about this summer’s intensity.
Reeves pointed to data from the weather service’s Climate Prediction Center, which showed a 50% to 60% probability that temperatures will be above normal for all of Texas during 2025’s summer months. That outlook, issued about a month ago on April 17, does not offer details on how far above normal experts are anticipating.
Stay Informed
Conclusion
In conclusion, the early heat wave hitting the Dallas-Fort Worth area this week is a sign that summer is approaching, but it’s difficult to predict how severe the summer will be based on this alone. Historically, the region usually reaches 100 degrees in June or July, but this year it’s happening earlier. Officials have released predictions that temperatures will be above normal for all of Texas during the summer months, but the extent of the heat is still uncertain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average date for the first 100-degree day in the Dallas-Fort Worth area?
A: The average date for the first 100-degree day is July 1, according to Hunter Reeves, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Q: Has the Dallas-Fort Worth area ever reached 100 degrees in May before?
A: Yes, there have been six other instances since 1900 of hitting triple digits in May, and the earliest recorded 100-degree day was on March 9 in 1911.
Q: What are the predictions for this summer’s temperatures in Texas?
A: According to the Climate Prediction Center, there is a 50% to 60% probability that temperatures will be above normal for all of Texas during 2025’s summer months.
