Sharp rise in temperatures could be complicating factor in cities where protests are happening
By
Adriana Navarro, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Jun 3, 2020 6:55 PM EST
A severe thunderstorm reduced visibility to almost zero with heavy rain in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 3. Winds gusted to 71 mph in the area.
With demonstrators filling the streets in protest of the death of George Floyd in cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., the heat sweeping across the country could be a complicating factor for anyone spending an extended period of time outdoors.
On Tuesday, Chicago reached a record-high temperature for June 2 with a 94-degree reading at O'Hare Airport, far above the average high of 76 for this time of year, that shattered the old record, which dated back to 1895. Temperatures have dropped a bit in Chicago and will return to near normal by Thursday.
The record-breaking weather moved east, and high temperatures on Wednesday rose into the upper-80s and low-90s in the nation's capital and the City of Brotherly Love -- at the same time that people are wearing masks and, in some cases, layers of clothing with long sleeves or pants. Law enforcement officials and members of the National Guard also filling the streets are in many cases wearing more clothing and apparel than usual.
Health concerns for anyone staying outdoors without proper hydration or breaks in the shade are heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Protesters march Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Philadelphia, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, clammy skin and dizziness. If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends moving the person to a cooler place, sipping water and putting cool, wet clothes on the individual. People suffering from heat exhaustion should seek medical help if they are throwing up, symptoms worsen or the symptoms last longer than an hour.
Heatstroke can occur when body temperatures reach 104 F or higher and can be brought on by hot weather or strenuous exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some of the first signs to look for as an indication of heatstroke are decreased sweating or skin feeling hot and dry to the touch. Flushed skin, rapid breathing and a headache are also symptoms. The CDC classifies heatstroke as a medical emergency and cautions to seek help immediately. It also warns not to give the person suffering from heatstroke anything to drink.
To take care of a person experiencing heatstroke until medical help arrives, the Mayo Clinic recommends getting the person into shade or indoors, removing excess clothing and trying to cool a person suffering from heatstroke with whatever means are available. This might include using icepacks, a fan or placing wet towels on the individual.
To tell the difference between the two, pay attention to the person's pulse and skin. Heatstroke symptoms include hot, red, dry or damp skin and a fast, strong pulse while heat exhaustion symptoms include cold, pale and clammy skin and a fast, weak pulse.
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"Aside from the heat, the biggest threat in the short term will be the potential for strong thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening that could produce drenching downpours, damaging wind gusts and even hail," Dombek said. Nearly 45 million people could lie in the path of the potentially damaging thunderstorms this week. The system is expected to trek from communities near Kansas City, Missouri, to New York City into Wednesday night. Storms will threaten Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
"Additional thunderstorms will be around at times over the next few days, but most of the time will be rain-free," Dombek said. "The weather looks dry and much more comfortable on Sunday and Monday."
As with any thunderstorm, lightning can threaten the safety of people outdoors. During 2019, there were at least 20 lightning fatalities, and there have been two in 2020 as of June 3, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends anyone caring for a victim of a lightning strike to immediately call for help before assessing the situation.
If in a situation where lightning could be a continued danger to the victim and the rescuer, move the victim to a safer location. However, victims shouldn't be moved if they are bleeding or appear to have broken bones. Check on the victim's breathing and heartbeat, and start CPR until medical help arrives if the victim does not have a pulse.
To keep people safe when thunderstorms strike, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in years past created these easy-to-remember slogans: "When thunder roars, go indoors" or "when you see a flash, dash (inside)."
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News / Weather News
Sharp rise in temperatures could be complicating factor in cities where protests are happening
By Adriana Navarro, AccuWeather staff writer
Published Jun 3, 2020 6:55 PM EST
A severe thunderstorm reduced visibility to almost zero with heavy rain in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 3. Winds gusted to 71 mph in the area.
With demonstrators filling the streets in protest of the death of George Floyd in cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., the heat sweeping across the country could be a complicating factor for anyone spending an extended period of time outdoors.
On Tuesday, Chicago reached a record-high temperature for June 2 with a 94-degree reading at O'Hare Airport, far above the average high of 76 for this time of year, that shattered the old record, which dated back to 1895. Temperatures have dropped a bit in Chicago and will return to near normal by Thursday.
The record-breaking weather moved east, and high temperatures on Wednesday rose into the upper-80s and low-90s in the nation's capital and the City of Brotherly Love -- at the same time that people are wearing masks and, in some cases, layers of clothing with long sleeves or pants. Law enforcement officials and members of the National Guard also filling the streets are in many cases wearing more clothing and apparel than usual.
Health concerns for anyone staying outdoors without proper hydration or breaks in the shade are heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Protesters march Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Philadelphia, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, clammy skin and dizziness. If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends moving the person to a cooler place, sipping water and putting cool, wet clothes on the individual. People suffering from heat exhaustion should seek medical help if they are throwing up, symptoms worsen or the symptoms last longer than an hour.
Heatstroke can occur when body temperatures reach 104 F or higher and can be brought on by hot weather or strenuous exercise, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some of the first signs to look for as an indication of heatstroke are decreased sweating or skin feeling hot and dry to the touch. Flushed skin, rapid breathing and a headache are also symptoms. The CDC classifies heatstroke as a medical emergency and cautions to seek help immediately. It also warns not to give the person suffering from heatstroke anything to drink.
To take care of a person experiencing heatstroke until medical help arrives, the Mayo Clinic recommends getting the person into shade or indoors, removing excess clothing and trying to cool a person suffering from heatstroke with whatever means are available. This might include using icepacks, a fan or placing wet towels on the individual.
To tell the difference between the two, pay attention to the person's pulse and skin. Heatstroke symptoms include hot, red, dry or damp skin and a fast, strong pulse while heat exhaustion symptoms include cold, pale and clammy skin and a fast, weak pulse.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP
"Aside from the heat, the biggest threat in the short term will be the potential for strong thunderstorms this afternoon and early evening that could produce drenching downpours, damaging wind gusts and even hail," Dombek said. Nearly 45 million people could lie in the path of the potentially damaging thunderstorms this week. The system is expected to trek from communities near Kansas City, Missouri, to New York City into Wednesday night. Storms will threaten Columbus, Ohio, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
"Additional thunderstorms will be around at times over the next few days, but most of the time will be rain-free," Dombek said. "The weather looks dry and much more comfortable on Sunday and Monday."
As with any thunderstorm, lightning can threaten the safety of people outdoors. During 2019, there were at least 20 lightning fatalities, and there have been two in 2020 as of June 3, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends anyone caring for a victim of a lightning strike to immediately call for help before assessing the situation.
If in a situation where lightning could be a continued danger to the victim and the rescuer, move the victim to a safer location. However, victims shouldn't be moved if they are bleeding or appear to have broken bones. Check on the victim's breathing and heartbeat, and start CPR until medical help arrives if the victim does not have a pulse.
To keep people safe when thunderstorms strike, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in years past created these easy-to-remember slogans: "When thunder roars, go indoors" or "when you see a flash, dash (inside)."
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