With scorching July temperatures, North Texans are struggling to keep cool

As July heats up, North Texans are doing their best to keep cool.

Temperatures are expected to break 100 degrees nearly every day this week. Although scorching summer temperatures aren’t unfamiliar to longtime residents, high humidity levels and near constant sunshine are creating the perfect conditions for staying indoors — with the AC running.

Here’s why, despite your best efforts to stay comfortable, it still feels so hot:

What factors cause oppressive heat?

Consistently high July heat is caused by a combination of high temperatures and humidity, said Tim Cady, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in the Houston/Galveston Forecast Office. Together, Cady said, the factors determine the heat index, or “feels like” temperature.

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“The impact of the moisture adds another layer of potential risks to the overall heat stress equation in our area,” he said. “It makes it really important to consider those heat safety measures.”

There are some specific causes for these triple-digit temperatures:

• Humidity: High levels of moisture in the air mean heat can get trapped. Humidity can prevent sweat from evaporating and make us feel like it’s more hot than the posted temperature. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 90s and low 100s this week, but the heat index is expected to hover at a more dangerous 105 to 114, according to the National Weather Service.
• Dew point: The Dallas-Fort Worth dew point has hit record levels this summer, meaning the metroplex feels extra muggy. Dew point is the temperature air needs to be to reach 100% humidity, per the weather service. The Dallas dew point has been consistently about 65 this week, making the air feel extra sticky.
• Heat dome: A heat dome has hovered over several states, including Texas, Florida, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi, in the past few weeks. According to the weather service, this phenomenon is caused when high pressure in the atmosphere gets stuck over a specific area, trapping heat. Warm air sinks and clear skies give the sun a “baking” effect.
• Urban density: Downtown spaces and neighborhoods with a lot of concrete and little tree cover hold heat more than areas with natural shade and vegetation, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Pavement-heavy neighborhoods can become urban heat islands, feeling more hot than the rest of the city.

Is there something different about this summer?

Texas is famously hot every summer. But, with regular 100-plus degree heat, many wonder if forecasts are getting worse.

Local records likely won’t be broken this week — but Cady said Texas is seeing one of its warmest summers on record.

Sizzling 2023 temperatures and rising heat index levels are putting power grids and local cooling centers in especially high demand. Cady expects that high temperatures will continue for the next several weeks.

“Every year we consistently see hundreds of people that are tragically killed by heat-related illnesses,” Cady said. “This is definitely something to be taken seriously. It’s really, really important to take those heat-related precautions into consideration if you have any plan to be outside.”

Tips to stay cool

• Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the day, especially as temperatures rise. Cady said water loss from perspiration means your body needs more water to stay healthy. Dehydration can lead to heat-related illness.
• Stay indoors when possible: Visit public libraries, Dallas-Fort Worth cooling centers or turn the fan on in your home. Cady recommends avoiding strenuous activity and limiting time spent outdoors to the cooler evening hours.
• Wear sunscreen: When you do go outside, wear sunscreen to protect your skin from UV rays. Reapply regularly and wear long, lightweight clothing.
• Go swimming: If you would prefer to spend some (limited) time in the sunshine, visit public pools or swimming lakes. Water requires very high energy to heat up, per the EPA, and will likely remain chilly on a hot summer day.
• Follow safety guidelines: Look out for signs of heat-related illnesses and pay attention to extreme heat warnings from the weather service. Never leave children or pets in a hot car.