This year’s July 4 forecast entails temperatures nearing 100 degrees and a chance of isolated showers and storms.
A hot, potentially rainy weekend is in store as Dallas-Fort Worth prepares to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Last year, holiday weekend weather turned deadly when the Guadalupe River flooded the Texas Hill Country on July 4, leaving a path of destruction through homes, businesses and Camp Mystic in its wake.
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This year, North Texans can expect temperatures just shy of 100 degrees and isolated showers throughout the holiday weekend.
Thursday’s high is forecast by the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office to be 98 degrees, with a low of 79. The heat index, or “feels like” temperature, is predicted to be 103.
Friday shares a near-identical forecast.
Both days, rain chances remain close to zero and partly-cloudy conditions with a slight breeze will persist, according to the weather service.
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On July 4, temperatures will climb slightly. Once forecast to hit 100 degrees for the first time this summer, the weather service now anticipates Dallas-Fort Worth’s high to be 99 degrees with a low of 80. The heat index is predicted to reach 104.
To stay safe in North Texas heat, the weather service recommends drinking a lot of water and seeking shade when possible, especially during the afternoon, traditionally the hottest part of the day.
Those with plans to celebrate July 4 should note that according to the CDC, alcohol can worsen dehydration, so drinking the recommended nine to 13 cups of water a day is crucial.
The CDC also encourages wearing hats and applying sunscreen to beat the heat.
Rain chances begin to creep into the forecast Saturday, with the weather service predicting a 9% chance for precipitation.
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Fourth of July is also forecast to see higher humidity and more cloud coverage.
These chances rise Sunday to 16%, according to the weather service. Sunday’s high is forecast to be 98 degrees, with a low of 81. Sunday is predicted by the weather service to be the most humid day of the holiday weekend.
NBC 5 said throughout the weekend, precipitation chances represent the possibility of isolated thunderstorms and showers.
The latest from KXAS-TV (NBC5):
FRIDAY: Sun and clouds, hot, humid. Low: 80. High: 97. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
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SATURDAY (INDEPENDENCE DAY): Partly sunny, hot, and humid. Slight chance for an evening thunderstorm. Low: 80. High: 98. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
SUNDAY: Partial sunshine, hot and humid. 20% chance for an isolated storm. Low: 80. High: 97. Wind: S 10-15 mph.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy, hot, humid with a 20% chance for an isolated storm. Low: 78. High: 97. Wind: S 5-10 mph.
TUESDAY: Sun, clouds, hot and humid. Low: 79. High: 98. Wind: S 5-10 mph.