Potentially dangerous weather conditions are expected in North Texas this weekend and into next week.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth is forecasting elevated temperatures and high humidity levels over the next several days, including a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms across the region on June 16 and 17.
Storm activity is expected to remain southeast of the metroplex for June 16. However, most of North Texas will see a chance for rain on June 17. Storms on both of these days have the potential to be strong or even severe.
Hazards associated with these storms may include hail, damaging winds in excess of 60 miles per hour, flooding, and a low risk for tornados.
Despite the looming possibility of severe weather, NWS officials are more concerned about the effects caused by elevated temperatures and continued humidity.
Allison Prater with the NWS in Fort Worth told The Dallas Express that temperatures are expected to remain in the mid to upper 90s on Friday and the rest of the weekend. However, despite ambient conditions not yet reaching triple digits, continued humidity will increase the heat index and cause the air to feel hotter than it is.
“So it’s going to feel like it’s over 100 degrees, even if the actual temperature is not over 100 degrees, and it’s because of the humidity that’s continuing to persist over North and Central Texas,” said Prater.
She said the heat index for June 16 will reach over 100 degrees, possibly up to 105, with similar conditions persisting through the weekend.
The NWS encourages citizens to practice heat safety measures and be alert for signs of heat sickness.
Ambient temperatures are expected to push into the 100s on June 19 and 20. Temperatures will then drop back to the mid to upper 90s toward the middle of the week.
North Texas isn’t the only area feeling the heat this summer. Scientists have recorded record-breaking sea-surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean since March, according to Science News.
These elevated ocean temperatures have the potential to strengthen storms in the Atlantic, possibly spawning hurricanes this season.