NWS: Heat indices to reach 100-107 degrees today
Published 9:44 am Friday, July 21, 2017
Heat indices are expected to be between 100-107 degrees today, according to the National Weather Service.
With a 30 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, the high today is slated to be 93 degrees for Atmore. The low tonight is going to dip to 74.
On Saturday, the high will be one degree lower than today with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms.
The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature, according to the NWS.
Here are some tips from the NWS to protect yourself during a heat wave:
• Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer: wear lightweight, loose fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.
• Eat light: choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water (not very cold): focus on non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you on a fluid restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing consumption of fluids.
• Use air conditioners: spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries if your home isn’t air conditioned.
• Use portable electric fans: Fans exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90 degrees. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Do not take salt tablets: Only take salt tablets if recommended by a physician.
• Be aware of infants, older, sick or frail people and pets.