The heat wave continues to plague North Texas this weekend.
The National Weather Service has predicted temperatures could reach 107 degrees Saturday in Dallas, with a heat index up to 112 degrees. With Sunday’s outlook virtually the same, Dallas announced plans to open additional cooling centers on Sunday for people to find relief from the heat and sun.
The primary location will be at the Austin Street Center, 2929 Hickory Street near Interstate 30 in South Dallas. The Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS) said in a press release the shelter will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday.
Most Dallas’ public libraries and recreation centers, which operate as cooling centers during normal business hours, are typically closed on Sundays. However, the following recreation centers will open Sunday, noon to 8 p.m., according to the press release:
The city said said the cooling centers will be equipped with air conditioning, water and trained staff.
“As we continue to navigate new issues concerning severe inclement weather, we thank OHS partners who continue to make temporary inclement weather shelters and cooling centers possible” said Christine Crossley, Director of the City’s Office of Homeless Solutions.
Across North Texas, additional cooling centers with weekly hours are Our Calling center, Union Gospel Mission Dallas, the Bridge Homeless Recovery Center and The Salvation Army. DART has also opened cooling centers this summer to keep riders out of the heat.
The heatwave’s intensity this weekend has prompted the weather service to issue an excessive heat warning active until 8 p.m. Saturday and Texas’ grid operator to issue a weather watch through Monday, indicating a higher demand on the grid than expected, but there is no call for energy conservation.
The weather service also issued a red flag warning – signaling a critical fire risk due to high temperatures, low humidity and stronger winds – for counties to the west of Dallas, including Tarrant and Denton.
🚨 Heads Up!🚨 A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon & evening for areas along/west of the I-35 corridor. Avoid any activities that could lead to fire starts!
You can check out the Texas Forest Service’s Burn Ban map here: https://t.co/SwqTRpzCsy#dfwwx #ctxwx #txwx pic.twitter.com/sXCsBT0Hkt
— NWS Fort Worth (@NWSFortWorth) August 5, 2023
The latest NBC5 forecast:
- SATURDAY: Mostly sunny and hot. High: 106.
- SUNDAY: Mostly sunny and hot. Low: 84. High: 106.
- MONDAY: Partly sunny and hot. Low: 83. High: 103.
- TUESDAY: Partly cloudy and hot. Low: 79. High: 102.
- WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy and hot. Low: 80. High: 105.
- THURSDAY: Hot with sunshine. Low: 82. High: 106.
- FRIDAY: Mostly sunny and hot. Low: 82. High: 104.
