Fort Worth will see 100-degree days. But when? Here’s what the historical data tells us
North Texas has already seen several 90-degree days this year, but the first triple digit day could happen this month.
Believe it or not, North Texas recorded its first 90-degree day of the year on Feb. 21, followed by 94 degrees on April 3. March was the outlier for North Texas, only getting up to 88 degrees over the month.
Things heated up in May to the tune of six days over 90 degrees, with the hottest day coming in at 96 degrees on May 5. Thus far, North Texas has only seen eight days over 90 degrees.
On average, the first 100-degree day in North Texas doesn’t occur until July 1, said Matt Bishop, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Fort Worth office.
“As we’re getting closer to the Fourth of July holiday, we can expect to start seeing 100-degree days becoming more likely or higher potential of that occurring,” Bishop said.
If you are starting to feel the warmth of the Texas summer, it is because we are inching closer to when days routinely reach 100 degrees. Lets take a look at past climatology:
What’s the earliest recorded 100-degree day in North Texas?
Well over a century ago, the earliest 100-degree day ever recorded in North Texas by NWS was on March 9, 1911.
At the time, William Howard Taft was in the midst of his only term in the White House. Elsewhere in 1911, British physicist Ernest Rutherford discovered the structure of the atom and the Philadelphia Athletics defeated the New York Giants to win the eighth MLB World Series.
In total, 1911 finished with 27 days of 100 degrees or hotter temperatures. The hottest day of the year was 106 degrees on August 14, 1911.
What’s the latest recorded 100-degree day in North Texas?
Over 30 years ago, the latest first occurrence of a 100-degree day in North Texas was recorded on Aug. 23, 1989.
In total, 1989 only saw six more days with temperatures of 100 degrees. While 1989 holds the latest first occurrence of a 100-degree day, there are a few years where North Texas never faced triple digit temperatures.
North Texas never recorded a 100-degree day in 1906 and 1973.
How does 2022 compare to 2023 thus far?
Last year was one of hottest on record, with 47 days over 100 degrees.
Comparing the first five months of 2022 to 2023 shows a similar thread, until it comes to May. This year North Texas only saw six days with 90-degree temperatures in May, compared to the 20 days recorded in 2022, according to the NWS.
By June 1, 2022, North Texas had 23 days of 90-degree temperatures, while this year saw only eight:
January- 2022 (0 days), 2023 (0 days)
February- 2022 (0 days), 2023 (one day)
March- 2022 (one day), 2023 (0 days)
April- 2022 (two days), 2023 (one day)
May- 2022 (20 days), 2023 (six days)
The first 100-degree day in North Texas over the last 10 years?
Over the last decade, June and July are the months most likely to record the first 100-degree day in North Texas:
2022- 103 degrees on June 11.
2021- 100 degrees on July 25.
2020- 100 degrees on July 12.
2019- 100 degrees on July 30.
2018- 101 degrees on June 22.
2017- 100 degrees on June 23.
2016- 100 degrees on July 22.
2015- 100 degrees on July 26.
2014- 100 degrees on July 13.
2013- 100 degrees on June 27.
