The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has predicted elevated and potentially dangerous temperatures throughout the day on Wednesday.
An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect for most of North Texas, with a Heat Advisory in place for the northernmost counties along the Red River.
Temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s, combined with high humidity levels, will cause the air to feel even hotter. Heat indices for the day will range from 103 to 117 degrees across North and Central Texas, according to the National Weather Service.
“For most of our area, we’re expecting heat index values of 110 to upwards of 115,” Hunter Reeves, a meteorologist with the NWS in Fort Worth, told The Dallas Express. “We could see some areas even try to reach 120. Today is definitely the hottest in the next few days.”
Temperatures are expected to peak between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Temperatures will “cool” back down into the 90s for the remainder of the work week but are expected to hit triple digits again over the weekend.
The NWS also noted that severe storms are possible throughout the metroplex during the afternoon and evening on June 21, bringing the possibility of large hail and damaging winds.
According to meteorologist Mariel Ruiz at WFAA, this “complex of storms” will contribute to the somewhat lower temperatures expected on Thursday and Friday.
The NWS urges the public to take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses, including spending time indoors in an air-conditioned area, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity, staying hydrated, and wearing loose-fitting, light-weight, light-colored clothing.
June 21 is also noteworthy as it makes the first day of astronomical summer, or the summer solstice, of 2023. Wednesday will be the longest day of the year in terms of daylight, lasting 14 hours and 19 minutes in the DFW metroplex.
Daylight hours will progressively shrink each day until the winter solstice on December 21.