Texans can expect to feel the heat this upcoming week.
Temperatures across the metroplex and the rest of the state are expected to reach the triple digits in the coming days. Electric grid officials have already predicted record demand for electricity during this year’s summer months.
The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded that some areas of the state have already reached triple-digit temperatures. The agency reported that Waco International Airport reached 100 degrees on June 10, while DFW Airport sat just below at 99 degrees.
The average date for the first triple-digit day of the year is July 1, though the earliest date on record for such a high temperature is March 9, 1911.
David Bonnette with the NWS in Fort Worth told The Dallas Express that the metroplex is predicted to reach 100 degrees on June 16. These conditions are expected to continue through the weekend and the remainder of the following week.
Bonnette said that these increased temperatures combined with moisture would provide a heat index that makes it feel that much hotter.
“Later on in the week, we’re going to have hot and humid conditions, so temperatures in triple digits plus the humidity,” said Bonnette. “That’s going to drive the heat indices above 105 basically from Friday onward through early next week.”
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) predicted that peak demand this summer would reach around 83,000 megawatts, compared to just over 80,000 megawatts in the previous year. July last year was the first time ERCOT’s predictions surpassed 80,000 megawatts.
ERCOT’s new maximum wattage for this summer far exceeds the predicted peak demand and output during the ice storm in the spring of 2021. On February 15, 2021, one day after Winter Storm Uri arrived, forecasted demand was for over 74,000 megawatts, however, net generation and demand did not exceed 50,000, according to Statista.
ERCOT’S supply and demand predictions for this week currently project demand at roughly 72,000 megawatts between June 16 and 17. Despite rising temperatures, officials do not expect the demand for electricity to exceed this year’s capacity so long as the region experiences “typical summer grid conditions.”
“Over 97,000 MW of summer-rated resource capacity is expected to be available for the summer peak load,” said ERCOT in a release. “This includes 688 MW of planned thermal resources and 372 MW of planned solar resources forecasted to be available by July 2023.”
Before triple-digit temperatures materialize in the state, weather officials predict more chances for showers and thunderstorms this week. Bonnette told The Dallas Express that a chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms would be possible through Wednesday.
Some of these storms have the potential to produce hail and damaging winds.
Weather officials advise that North Texas locals remain weather aware. Locals are advised to be mindful of the rising temperatures by wearing lighter-colored clothing and taking frequent breaks if participating in outdoor activities.
