If you’ve stepped outside in the past month, you know it’s hot outside. Like, miserably, hopelessly hot.
A ferocious heat wave has settled over Dallas-Fort Worth and much of Texas, sending people scrambling indoors for air conditioning or trying to have a little fun with things by, say, baking chocolate chip cookies inside their cars.
As the National Weather Service issues almost-daily excessive heat warnings, here are five things to know about the heat wave:
1. How many 100-degree days has Dallas-Fort Worth seen so far?
The region has recorded 33 days of at least 100 degrees, with a current streak of 18 consecutive 100-degree days. That beats the typical summer, which sees roughly 20 days with 100-degree temperatures.
But it doesn’t come close to the record, when 2011 saw a whopping 71 days of 100 degrees or more, said Sarah Barnes, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. And in 1980, the region recorded 42 consecutive 100-degree days.
2. When will this end?
Unfortunately, there’s no relief in sight quite yet. Dangerous heat is forecasted throughout this week and early next week, with high temperatures expected to reach 108 Friday.
On average, North Texas gets its first solid cold front of the season in the second half of September, with lows typically dipping to 60 degrees by Sept. 17, according to the weather service. The average first freeze comes Nov. 22.
3. Is Dallas-Fort Worth the hottest region in Texas?
Dallas is now hotter than both Houston and Brownsville, where highs are expected to hit 101 and 98 degrees Friday. Austin is forecast to reach 106 degrees, and El Paso is expecting 101 degrees.
“It’s pretty safe to say we’re one of the hottest locations in the state,” Barnes said. “But the entire state is experiencing super widespread triple-digit temperatures.”
4. Where in the U.S. is it hotter?
Rest easy, Dallas. Other places are also sweltering.
Phoenix recently hit a record 31 consecutive days with temperatures hitting at least 110 degrees. A high of 106 is forecast for Friday.
5. Want to escape?
Texas is roasting, but there are some cooler spots in the U.S. Highs in Park City, Utah are hovering in the low 70s. A nonstop flight on American Airlines this week will run you $581, which is beginning to sound like a bargain.
