North Texas — The new school year is beginning with a serious dose of summer heat. As students across the region return to classrooms this week, families should prepare for plenty of sunshine, very warm afternoons and temperatures climbing toward the triple digits.
The latest forecast points to a hot and mostly dry start to the school year, with humidity making already-high temperatures feel even more uncomfortable for children walking to school, waiting for buses or taking part in outdoor activities.
Hot Weather Arrives as Students Return
North Texas is expected to experience a stretch of hot to very hot afternoons throughout the upcoming work and school week.
Temperatures are forecast to reach the upper 90s and 100s in many locations, putting the first days of the school year firmly in summer-like territory.
Forecast temperatures are expected to run approximately 2 to 5 degrees above seasonal averages, signaling a prolonged period of above-normal heat rather than just a single unusually warm day.
For students and parents adjusting to new school schedules, the heat could become an important part of the daily routine.
Rain Chances Remain Very Low
While temperatures climb, widespread rainfall does not appear likely.
The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and very limited rain chances across North Texas. A small possibility of an isolated thunderstorm exists primarily southeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on Monday afternoon.
For most families, however, the bigger weather story will be the heat rather than thunderstorms.
The combination of sunshine and high temperatures means outdoor school activities could become uncomfortable quickly, especially during the hottest part of the afternoon.
Humidity Could Make It Feel Even Hotter
The actual temperature won’t tell the entire story this week.
Humidity will make conditions feel hotter, increasing the stress that prolonged heat can place on the body.
Children may be particularly vulnerable when spending extended periods outdoors, whether they’re walking between activities, participating in physical education classes, attending sports practices or waiting for transportation.
Parents can help by making sure children drink plenty of water throughout the day, rather than waiting until they feel thirsty.
Lightweight clothing and regular breaks in air-conditioned or shaded areas can also help students handle the heat.
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Triple-Digit Temperatures Possible
Some areas of North Texas could see temperatures reach 100 degrees or higher, particularly during the hottest afternoons of the week.
Even locations that remain just below the century mark could experience dangerous-feeling conditions because of the combination of heat and humidity.
School districts with outdoor activities may need to keep the forecast in mind when scheduling practices, recess periods and other activities that require students to spend significant time outside.
Families should also remember that temperatures can remain elevated well into the afternoon, meaning the ride home from school may occur during one of the hottest portions of the day.
Heat May Stick Around Beyond This Week
Unfortunately for anyone hoping for a quick return to milder temperatures, the heat may not disappear when the school week ends.
The current outlook suggests above-average temperatures could continue into the weekend and potentially into the following week.
That means the back-to-school heat may become part of a longer stretch of summer weather across North Texas.
For now, the message for students and families is straightforward: stay hydrated, take breaks from the heat and be prepared for very warm afternoons as the new school year gets underway.
The school calendar may be turning toward fall, but North Texas weather is still firmly stuck in summer mode.
How is your family preparing for the heat during the first week of school? Are you expecting your child to spend much time outdoors? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
