If you live in Dallas-Fort Worth, you don’t need anyone to tell you this summer has been rough. But the numbers behind it are worth a look. As August wraps up, DFW has had one of its hottest and driest stretches in years. Here’s what actually happened, based on data from the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office, as of August 31, 2026.
So, how hot did it get?
Pretty hot. DFW has seen close to 30 days at or above 100 degrees this summer, according to NWS 100 degree day records and reporting from The Dallas Morning News. That’s above the usual average of around 20 triple digit days a year, but it’s still not close to the all time record. The longest stretch of back to back 100-degree days this year was 10 days. Compare that to summer 1980, when Dallas-Fort Worth saw 42 days in a row over 100 degrees, a record meteorologists still consider almost unbeatable.
That said, a couple of days this August did make history. On August 22, DFW Airport hit 105 degrees, tying a record from 1980 that was matched again in 2010. Then the very next day, August 23, the airport hit 109 degrees, breaking the old record of 107 for that date, which had stood since 1952.
One thing that’s been just as rough as the daytime highs: the nights. For 14 nights in a row, the temperature at DFW Airport never dropped below 80 degrees, even in the middle of the night. Normally, cooler nights give people and the ground some relief. This summer, that relief just hasn’t been showing up.
The numbers, at a glance:
- About 30 days at or above 100°F this summer
- 10 days — the longest stretch of triple digit heat in a row
- 109°F — DFW Airport’s high on August 23, a new record for that date
- 105°F — DFW Airport’s high on August 22, tying the old record
- 14 nights straight — lows staying at or above 80°F
- 113–114°F — how hot it felt with the heat index during the worst days
It’s not just the heat — it’s the dry spell too
Heat is one thing. No rain on top of it makes everything harder. As of August 31, DFW Airport had gone 46 days in a row without any measurable rain. That ties a stretch from 1974 for the 10th-longest dry streak ever recorded at the airport, according to the National Weather Service. You can track current conditions across the state on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
This August could end up being one of only seven Augusts in DFW’s recorded history where the entire month saw basically no rain at all — just a trace. That list goes back to 1902, and only one year, 2000, has ever had a completely dry August with zero rainfall.
There was a bit of hope toward the end of the month. A tropical system moving through the Gulf was bringing rain to parts of Texas along the I-45 corridor. But forecasters said North Texas would likely miss out, with only about a 5% chance of DFW getting even a tenth of an inch.
When did this all start?
The first 100 degree day of the year showed up on July 7, a little later than usual, since the average start date is July 1. But once it arrived, it stuck around. Forecasters had predicted somewhere between 22 and 24 days over 100 degrees before summer even began, and that estimate turned out to be pretty close.
Heat Advisory vs. Extreme Heat Warning: what’s the difference?
You’ve probably seen both terms on the news this summer. Here’s what they actually mean:
- Heat Advisory — issued when the heat index (how it actually feels outside) reaches the low-to-mid 100s. It’s uncomfortable and can be dangerous if you’re outside too long.
- Extreme Heat Warning — a bigger deal. This means the National Weather Service expects dangerously high heat, usually with the heat index above 105–110 degrees. When this is in effect, the advice is simple: stay inside, stay cool, and skip outdoor activities if you can.
Both were issued more than once this summer across Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton counties.
The people dealing with it every day
Numbers only tell part of the story. The Dallas Morning News talked to a paleta vendor who kept working through days that hit 110 degrees, dealing with headaches and exhaustion from hours in the sun. People like him, outdoor workers, people without air conditioning, elderly neighbors, carry the heaviest burden during a summer like this. If you work outside, OSHA’s heat safety guidance is worth a look for knowing your rights and the warning signs to watch for.
Local cities have tried to help. Dallas has opened up recreation centers and libraries as cooling spots and offers free portable cooling units and cooling center locations for people who need them. Fort Worth has kept four community centers open as cooling centers all summer. Both cities also work with local homeless services to reach people without shelter.
More dry weather means more fire risk
Heat plus no rain is a bad combination for wildfires. A 100-acre fire broke out near Gainesville in Montague County this August, forcing evacuations that were later lifted. Several counties around DFW, including Dallas and Tarrant, put burn bans in place. The National Weather Service has been reminding people to be careful outside, things like dragging tow chains on the road or tossing a lit cigarette into dry grass can start a fire fast right now.
How to stay safe while this heat sticks around
Here’s what the National Weather Service and local officials recommend (you can find the full guide from the CDC on extreme heat as well):
- Drink water often — don’t wait until you’re thirsty.
- Avoid being outside during the hottest part of the afternoon, especially when there’s an Extreme Heat Warning.
- Wear light, loose clothing so your body can cool itself down.
- Never leave kids or pets in a parked car, not even for a minute.
- Check on older neighbors or anyone without reliable AC.
- Know the warning signs of heat sickness — dizziness, nausea, confusion, and a racing heartbeat can mean heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and both need attention right away.
- Use a cooling center if your home doesn’t have good air conditioning.
When will it finally cool off?
The National Weather Service says the heat should stick around into early September, with highs still swinging between the 90s and 100s. Usually, DFW’s overnight lows start dropping below 75 degrees in the last week of August or first week of September, which is a sign that cooler weather is on the way. This year might not follow that pattern, given how warm the nights have stayed lately. And with North Texas mostly missing out on rain from the Gulf system, real relief could still be a few weeks off.
Sources: National Weather Service — Fort Worth/Dallas, The Dallas Morning News, FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, CBS News Texas, NBC 5 DFW, WFAA, CDC Extreme Heat, OSHA Heat Safety, U.S. Drought Monitor.