Weather – The Other Side Dallas

September 5, 2023September 5, 2023

Heat Advisory

A heat advisory will start our first week of September as temperatures remain in triple digits.

Temperatures are expected to be at least one hundred through Friday, before a cold front drops the area to a cool mid nineties this weekend.

The National Weather Service extended forecast appears to show highs in the 90s starting next week.

This heat will continue to hit the oldest and youngest hardest.

Reminder: Heat Safety Tips

IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

Find air conditioning.
Avoid strenuous activities.
Wear light clothing.
Check on family members and neighbors.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN EXTREME HEAT THREATENS

Prepare NOW

Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
Keep your home cool:
- Cover windows with drapes or shades.
- Weather-strip doors and windows.
- Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
- Add insulation to keep the heat out.
- Use attic fans to clear hot air.
- Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.

Be Safe DURING

Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
Avoid high-energy activities.
Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

Heat Advisory Continues

Dallas has had forty-nine 100 degree days this summer including two six day consecutive runs of 100 degree days.

Other Side Dallas will continue to report breaking news that is important to our readers.

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022

Arctic Blast Arrives Early

The arctic blast arrives early this morning and already has Dallas Fire Rescue on multiple power line situations.

Dallas Fire Rescue has also responded to a major accident blocking traffic at Interstate 20 and Interstate 45. They also responded to a reported structure fire.

Arctic Blast Arrives Early

The cold weather predicted to start this afternoon arrived several hours early per the National Weather Service.

A strong cold front will blast through Dallas this morning. It will bring with it strong, gusty winds and sharply dropping temperatures. Outdoor items and holiday decorations should be secured!

The front should exit the region around noon.

Light snow is possible to the northwest of Dallas and there will be some movement to the east.

The snow will be dry and will be blown around by the wind resulting in no accumulation.

Other Side Dallas will continue to monitor and update throughout the next few days.

December 21, 2022December 20, 2022

DFW Arctic Blast 2022

DFW Arctic Blast 2022 is on its way and will hit Thursday bringing with it reminders of power outages in 2021.

The National Weather Service is predicting much colder temperatures arrive on Thursday. A cold front will surge south across much of the United States.

The exact timing on the front is still somewhat uncertain.

The high temperature of the day for most will likely occur during the morning hours. Temperatures will then fall sharply throughout the day.

Peak wind gusts near 45 MPH are likely, and higher wind gusts cannot be ruled out. This will result in wind chill values in the single digits and teens.

DFW Arctic Blast 2022 – Prepare Now!

A major concern with the incoming weather is the possibility of power outages.

In early 2021 many in DFW experienced multiple days without power as ERCOT‘s inability to manage the Texas grid became apparent. ERCOT failed again six months later during the summer causing rolling blackouts.

One Emergency Manager suggested “charge everything – including back-up power banks – in the next day.”

Additional suggestions included filling gas tanks, having emergency supplies available including in your car, and preparation to be without power for a couple days.

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022

Dallas Flooding 2022

Dallas flooding 2022 overwhelmed cars and trucks early Monday on interstates in downtown and throughout the city.

Eight inches of estimated rain drenched Dallas since Sunday night.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reported more than six inches of rain. Dallas Love Field reported six inches also.

Dallas Flooding 2022

In at least one event a Dallas police officer appears to have lost access to their vehicle in flash flooding.

Other Side Dallas has reached out to Dallas police for more information and to confirm the officer’s safety.

Other Side Dallas will continue to report on weather related issues and events as we become aware.

February 23, 2022February 23, 2022

Wednesday February 23: Morning Road Ice

There is morning road ice in some parts of Dallas from overnight precipitation.

These patches are passable with caution and by and large roadways are running normally throughout the DFW region.

Morning Road Ice – Just The Beginning

Temperatures are not expected over freezing today so current precipitation will not melt and more is expected this afternoon and early evening. This could impact travel home this evening.

Locally, The Dallas Opera has made no decision on its performance of Madame Butterfly.

Current Dallas Independent School District and local campuses are open. Other Side Dallas will provide updates as appropriate.

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021

ERCOT Fails Again

ERCOT fails again power users across Texas.

Per a release, The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is asking Texans to reduce electric use as much as possible today through Friday, June 18, 2021.

A significant number of forced generation outages combined with potential record electric use for the month of June has resulted in tight grid conditions.

Generator owners have reported approximately 11,000 MW of generation is on forced outage for repairs; of that, approximately 8,000 MW is thermal and the rest is intermittent resources.

According to the summer Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy, a typical range of thermal generation outages on hot summer days is around 3,600 MW. One MW typically powers around 200 homes on a summer day.

ERCOT Fails Second Time In Five Months

This is the second time ERCOT has asked the public to reduce energy consumption due to an outdated system. The state legislature recently adjourned without taking up significant changes to the regulation of ERCOT.

In February 2021, ERCOT was unable to sustain power to the grid leading to millions of people without power and major home damage due to burst water pipes in subfreezing temperatures. At the time, the public expected Governor Greg Abbott and Austin leadership in the Texas legislature to take up grid reliability. It never happened this session.

Temperatures have been rising lately hitting the 90s. Last year, our first 100 degree day was July 2020.

Other Side Dallas will update with additional information on cooling stations and power issues locally as it becomes available.

July 11, 2020June 12, 2021

Hot Hits 100 in DFW

Hot hits 100°F today in DFW Weather. Per the National Weather Service the Dallas-Fort Worth are can expect their first 100°F degree day of the year today.

The National Weather Service Says Dallas-Fort Worth will hit 100°F toda100°F for the first time Saturday, July 11, 2020

We are expected to have multiple days ahead above 90 – which is the temperature used to measure “Extreme Heat.”

Extreme heat means your body will work extra hard to maintain normal temperature. That can lead to death. Heat is responsible for the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. Please keep in mind that Extreme heat can occur quickly and without warning. Older adults, children, and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat conditions.

IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING:

Find air conditioning.
Avoid strenuous activities.
Wear light clothing.
Check on family members and neighbors.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car.

HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN EXTREME HEAT THREATENS

Prepare NOW

Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
Keep your home cool:
- Cover windows with drapes or shades.
- Weather-strip doors and windows.
- Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
- Add insulation to keep the heat out.
- Use attic fans to clear hot air.
- Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.

Be Safe DURING

Never leave a child, adult or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor how best to accommodate it.
Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees, as it could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
Avoid high-energy activities.
Check yourself, family members and neighbors for signs of heat-related illness.

More 100°F Facts

Given the suggestion to curtail activity, Other Side Dallas has weather trivia you can enjoy over your ice cold drink. Dallas-Fort Worth experiences eighteen (18) days of 100°F heat annually. The average date for a first 100°F temperature is July 1. The last date is August 26.

In 1911, the Dallas-Fort Worth area experienced their first triple digit day on March 9. These big temperature days can happen late in the year too like on October 3, 1951. In 2011, we had 71 triple digit days.