How to Beat the Heat this Weekend
With a dangerous heat wave kicking in across the East starting this holiday weekend, people throughout the region should take precautions to prevent an unwanted trip to the hospital.
On average each year, more than 1,500 people die from excessive heat in the U.S. To safeguard against developing life-threatening, heat-related illnesses, certain measures should be taken.
Make sure to drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially during the afternoon when temperatures are highest.
Wear light-weight, light-colored clothing and seek shade if you're going to spend extended periods of time outside.
Spend as much time in air-conditioned places as possible. This is especially recommended for the elderly, young children and other people who are more sensitive to extreme heat. These people should be checked on frequently.
Remember never to leave children or pets in a parked vehicle, even for a short period of time. Vehicles that are parked in the sun can quickly become death traps with the temperature inside rising by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. Over time, internal temperatures can reach 140 or even 150 degrees depending on the temperature outside.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 100° | Wink, TX |
| Low | 29° | Mullan Pass, ID |
| Precip | 1.17" | Chapel Hill, NC |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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