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Summer’s weather in full swing

By Joyce Koballa 3 min read

The heat is on. And, with temperatures soaring into the 90s over the next several days, this could be the warmest weekend for the region in nearly three years, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Pittsburgh.

As Tuesday marked the first day of summer and the area’s first heat wave of the season, Rich Redmond, NWS meteorologist, said 90-degree temperatures for this time of year are not uncommon.

Redmond added that June and July are generally the hottest months of the year for the Pittsburgh region.

While today’s weather forecast for the region is calling for an isolated thunderstorm, Redmond said such activity should remain well to the north until Monday or Tuesday evening.

“We’re in a very dry pattern (here) right now,” said Redmond.

Temperatures are expected to swelter again into the 90s and the heat index could rise to near 100 for an hour or two this afternoon.

Redmond said thunderstorms are more severe during the summer months because of the mixture of heat and humidity.

Sunday’s temperatures could be a couple of degrees lower, but it will remain hot and humid.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable yet annually many people succumb to extreme heat.

From 1979 to 1999, the CDC reported excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States.

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally does this by sweating, but under some conditions, that just isn’t enough.

When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat just as fast.

The CDC said prevention is the primary defense to keep heat-related illness from occurring.

Some tips include:

– Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.

– Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar. These actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks since they can produce stomach cramps.

– Stay indoors, and if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If air conditioning is not available in your home, head to a local store or call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in the area.

– Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a better way to cool off.

– Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.

– Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

– Although any one can suffer from a heat-related illness at any time, some people are at greater risk than others such as infants and young children, people age 65 and older, people with a mental illness and those who are particularly ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.

– Visit adults at risk at least twice a day, and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat, the CDC advises the following:

– Limit your outdoor activity to morning or evening hours.

– Cut down on exercise. If exercise is needed, drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour.

– Try to rest often in shady areas.

– Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

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