Sunday is set to be the hottest day of the year and Monday could be even hotter. Thankfully, a cooling down period is in sight!

It will be sunny on Sunday and Monday, but heat warnings are likely to remain in effect.

High pressure in the west will continue to dominate, drying out the soil and air. The drier air and increased sunshine will drive temperatures to 105 degrees or more on Sunday and Monday. Our high for the year so far was 103 degrees.

Slightly lower dew points will increase the heat index, but it should not be worse than previous days. The problem is more the heat and with lighter winds, air pollution may become a problem in the afternoon.

On Monday it could be even hotter than on Sunday. West to southwest winds will condense the air and heat it up more.

Temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius could be possible in some regions of North Texas on Monday.

The only thing that will hold us back is clouds and haze at altitude. If that doesn’t happen, it could be hotter than forecast.

An extreme heat warning is in effect until Monday 9:00 p.m.

7-day forecast

Our high pressure system will move back into New Mexico starting Tuesday and Wednesday, causing an unseasonably strong jet stream in the eastern U.S. to push a front westward through Texas. It’s called a “backdoor” front because it’s moving east to west, whereas most fronts normally move west to east.

This front will bring 30 degree temperatures to areas east of Dallas on Tuesday as easterly winds develop. Unfortunately, areas west of Fort Worth will not reach the front until late in the day. This may cause some to still feel 40 degree heat or more.

Since the front is in the area, the probability of storms on Tuesday is very low. Even if the thunderstorms remain localized, gusty winds are possible.

The front should move further west on Wednesday, bringing easterly winds and maximum temperatures of around 30 degrees. It won’t be cold, but it will certainly be less hot.

Later this week, the high pressure system to the west will move back into the western part of the state and then north into Oklahoma over the weekend. It will likely remain hot and dry, but not in the center of the heat. Basically, most expect temperatures in the 30s.