This Week Will Be a Scorcher

North Texans scrambled for air conditioning and shade over the weekend as temperatures climb into the triple-digits across the state, and that trend will continue through this week.

Counting Monday, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has seen nine days of temperatures at or above 100 degrees so far this summer. The average is 16 per year, and this week we'll be on pace to come closer to that number.

You can blame a high pressure at the jet stream level for the heat. Heat advisories are in effect for eastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, but not for North Texas. However, the DFW area is also under a level-orange air quality alert.

On Tuesday morning, NBC DFW Meteorologist Samantha Davies forecasted a high of 105 on Tuesday, 104 on Wednesday, 103 on Thursday and 102 on Friday. The weekend isn't predicted to be much cooler, with temperatures also at 102 on Saturday and 100 on Sunday. (See the most up-to-date forecast here.)

Long story short: It's a perfect week to find some place shady or wet -- under a tree or porch with a pool nearby sounds about perfect.

Show us how you, your children or your pets stay cool this weekend. E-mail your photos to isee@nbcdfw.com or upload them here.

Beating the Heat

So far this year, five people have died in Dallas County because of the heat, and Tarrant County has seen three heat-related deaths.

Since April when it started getting hot, 125 people in Dallas County have suffered heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion. About the same number of people in Tarrant County also have gotten sick from the heat.

Paramedics and doctors are prepared for the heat.

"When temperatures get closer to our own body temperatures, it's hard for us to get rid of heat, and if we're even generating more heat by working outside, we can get into trouble right away," said Dr. Paul Pepe at Parkland Hospital Emergency.

Dallas County is activating its "Beat the Heat" cooling centers, offering cold water, snacks and most importantly air conditioning.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center
2922 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
214-670-8367
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
 
West Dallas Multipurpose Center
2828 Fish Trap Rd.
214-670-6340
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The Salvation Army has also opened 15 Cooling Stations across the Metroplex to help people beat the heat. Each location offers a cool place to stay during the day and ice cold water to keep people hydrated. All of the location are open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Dallas Temple
(Love Field Area)
6500 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, TX 75235
(214) 956-6025

Oak Cliff
1617 W. Jefferson
Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 941-5911 or 5914

Cedar Crest
(East Oak Cliff)
1007 Hutchins Road
Dallas, TX 75203
(214) 941-7404

Pleasant Grove 
8341 Elam Road 
Dallas, Texas 75217
214-398-6619 

Denton 
1508 East McKinney St.
Denton, TX 76201
(940) 566-3800 

Garland 
451 W. Ave D
Garland, TX 75040
(972) 272-4531 

Irving 
250 East Grauwyler Road
Irving, TX 75061
(972) 438-6553  

Lewisville 
207 Elm Street
Lewisville, TX 75067
(972) 353-9400 

McKinney 
600 Wilson Creek Pkwy
McKinney, TX 75069
(972) 542-6694 

Plano 
3528 E. 14th
Plano, TX 75074
(972) 423-8254 

Arlington 
712 W. Abram 
Arlington, TX 76013
(817) 860-1836 

Northside Corps
(N. Fort Worth)
3023 NW 24th St.
Fort Worth, TX 76106
(817) 624-3111 or 1637 

Waxahachie 
620 Farley St.
Waxahachie, TX 75165
(972) 937-7727 

To help residents cope with the heat, Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) offers these suggestions:

• Do not leave children or pets in any vehicle.  Deaths have occurred when pets and children have been left unattended in cars during hot days.  Cars heat up very quickly when it is hot outside.
• Plan strenuous activities for cooler times of the day.
• Take frequent breaks to cool down if you have to work outside.
• Eat lighter, balanced meals more often.
• Reapply sun block as directed if you plan to be outdoors for longer periods of time; and protect your eyes.
• Do not overdress babies or bundle them in blankets.
• Stay in cooled environments as much as possible if your heat tolerance isn't established.
• Avoid beverages containing alcohol, excessive caffeine or large amounts of sugar.
• Consult your doctor if you are taking certain prescription medicines to determine how the sun and heat may affect you.
• Maintain adequate ventilation and air conditioning. Turning off air conditioning to save money can put people at risk for heat injury.
• Regularly check on the elderly when the temperatures are high for a prolonged period of time.

More: Video Forecast, NBC 5 Forecast

NBCDFW's Kevin Cokely contributed to this report.

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