Excessive Heat — Dallas, Texas

2011-08-01 to 2011-08-06 · Dallas, Texas

Event narrative

Excessive Heat Warning conditions occurred across the region August 1st through the 5th. In Dallas County, daytime high temperatures ranged approximately from 104-111 degrees with very warm overnight lows in the 80s. On the 3rd, Dallas Love Field (KDAL) and Dallas Executive Airport (KRBD) recorded a low of only 88 degrees. Afternoon heat index values ranged from 110 to 112 degrees in most locations. According to the medical examiner, four people died as a result from the heat during this period, and approximately another 130 people were treated for heat-related illnesses or injuries.

Wider weather episode

Brutal triple digit daytime temperatures and warm overnight lows continued to occur across north Texas through the month of August. Only 3 scattered days provided relief from the record-setting heat. By the time August ended, it had been the warmest summer on record in both Dallas/Fort Worth and Waco. The average temperature for the summer months at DFW was 90.1, and the average temperature at Waco was 90.5. From June 30th - August 12th, Waco set a new record greatest consecutive 100-degree days of 44 days. Both DFW and Waco set new record greatest annual 100-degree days for the summer months with a few additional days in the month of September. Many daily high temperatures records and highest minimum temperature records were set or tied during the month of August. Dallas/Fort Worth again tied the all-time record highest minimum temperature of 86 degrees set in July 2011, and Waco set the all-time record highest minimum temperature of 86 degrees on the 2nd. The prolonged heat took its toll on North Texans and there were 27 heat related deaths and many more heat related illnesses. An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect for all but the southwestern counties the first 5 days of the month. The warmest temperatures of the month occurred in these first 5 days with highs reaching 113 or 114 degrees a few COOP locations. A Heat Advisory was in effect for all or parts of north Texas for most of the remainder of the month except for a few days in the middle of the month.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 340986. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.