The Brief
- North Texas will see highs in the upper 90s to triple digits this week, paired with a massive plume of Saharan dust causing hazy skies and poor air quality.
- The Fourth of July weekend will stay hot and dry with clear skies and slightly calmer winds, providing a reliable backdrop for outdoor celebrations.
- A weak high-pressure system could bring a minor 10% chance of spotty showers by Thursday and Friday, though significant rainfall is not expected.
DALLAS – While heat alerts grip more than 20 states from the Plains through the Midwest and Great Lakes, North Texas is carving out its own distinct brand of summer swelter this week.
Though local temperatures do not quite meet the strict National Weather Service criteria for official heat advisories or warnings, conditions will remain intensely hot, accompanied by a heavy plume of Saharan dust and the potential for a few spotty showers.
Monday forecast
Timeline:
Temperatures are running a couple of degrees above average, climbing rapidly through the 90s after an uncomfortably warm morning start. A common summer weather pattern is creating a distinct temperature gradient across North Texas. Because drier air heats more efficiently than moisture-rich air, western communities are seeing higher thermometer readings.…