North Texas is staring down a week of triple-digit days, and it’s expected to be one of the hottest areas in the United States on Wednesday. But are any records going to be broken?
Probably not. While the high temperature forecast for Dallas on Wednesday hit 106 degrees and the heat index reached 115, that’s still quite a bit cooler than two scalding days more than 40 years ago.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Dallas-Fort Worth came in 1980, according to the National Weather Service. On June 26 and 27 that year, the temperature reached 113 degrees. (The weather service does not keep comprehensive records of heat index values.)
By comparison, the highest recorded temperature in Texas is 120 degrees, reached in Seymour on August 12, 1936. and Monahans on June 28, 1994.
Overall, there were 47 triple-digit days in 2022, according to the National Weather Service. So far in 2023, there have been six.
Hottest days in Dallas-Fort Worth
The most recent day that got within striking distance of the record-high temperature came on Aug. 2, 2011, when the high clocked in at 110 degrees.
1. 113: recorded twice in 1980
2. 112: recorded in 1909, 1936 and 1980
3. 111: recorded in 2000
4. 110: recorded in 1936, 1943, twice in 1980, 1998 and 2011
