Its clearing up

Good morning Augusta, its safe to venture outside today.

This morning it is partly cloudy with a chance of snow and a chance of rain, then clear. High of 37F with a windchill as low as 23F. Winds from the NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of snow 20%.

Tonight it will be clear with a Low of 16F. Winds from the NW at 5 to 10 mph.

The readings taken from my own weather instrumentation are:

A relative humidity of 94% with a Dew Point of 34.0ºF and a wind chill of 35.6º F.    

The temperature is 35.6ºF.

Presently we have   almost no winds between 0.9 MPH and 1.3 MPH.

Our Barometric pressure is 29.63/HPA 1003.3 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun.

The UV rating is 0 out of 16, sunset will be at 3:59 PM with Moon Rise at 4:53 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, and the moon phase is Waning Crescent.

For the pilots out there: Raw METAR is –

METAR KAUG 111253Z AUTO 00000KT 9SM OVC041 01/00 A2970 RMK AO2 RAB1154E07 SLP063 P0000 T00060000

Visibility is 9.0 miles/14.5 Kilometers with overcast down to 4,100 ft / 1,249 m.

We have had no percipitation in this area over the past 24 hours.

This weather blog is viewed by family and friends in places outside the New England area from Florida, through the Carolinas, Arizona and into California. I sometimes receive the occasional email from some of them when I post cold weather advisorys noting to me that their locations have the opposite, heat related problems, and that I should not ignore their weather related health risks.

So, on behalf of concerned and compassionate half frozen, frost-bitten snow shoveling New Englanders everywhere I post the following hot weather health warnings for those of you who reside in brutally hot locations.

From "Medicine net"

Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

During a heat wave, it's important to know and be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a heat-related illness. There are different types of heat-related illnesses, ranging from those that cause temporary discomfort to the generally fatal condition known as heat stroke. In all heat-related illnesses, the symptoms appear when a person is exposed to extreme temperatures.

The following checklist can help you recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses:

1.Heat Rash: Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age. Heat rashlooks like a red cluster of pimplesor small blisters.

2.Heat cramps: A person who has been exercising or participating in other types of strenuous activity in the heat may develop painful muscle spasms in the arms, legs, or abdomen referred to as heat rash. The body temperature is usually normal, and the skin will feel moist and cool, but sweaty.

Heat stroke facts

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia in which the body temperature is elevated dramatically.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated.

Cooling the victim is a critical step in the treatment of heat stroke. Always notify emergency services immediately.

The most important measures to prevent heat strokes are to avoid becoming dehydrated and to avoid vigorous physical activities in hot and humid weather.

Infants, the elderly, athletes, and outdoor workers are the groups at greatest risk for heat stroke.

What is, and who is at risk for heat stroke?

Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia, an abnormally elevated body temperature with accompanying physical symptoms including changes in the nervous system function. Unlike heat cramps and heat exhaustion, two other forms of hyperthermia that are less severe, heat stroke is a true medical emergency that is often fatal if not properly and promptly treated. Heat stroke is also sometimes referred to as heatstroke or sun stroke. Severe hyperthermia is defined as a body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher.

The body normally generates heat as a result of metabolism, and is usually able to dissipate the heat by radiation of heat through the skin or by evaporation of sweat. However, in extreme heat, high humidity, or vigorous physical exertion under the sun, the body may not be able to dissipate the heat and the body temperature rises, sometimes up to 106 F (41.1 C) or higher. Another cause of heat stroke is dehydration. A dehydrated person may not be able to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat, which causes the body temperature to rise.

Heat stroke is not the same as a stroke. "Stroke" is the general term used to describe decreased oxygen flow to an area of the brain.

Those most susceptible (at risk) individuals to heat strokes include:

infants,

the elderly (often with associated heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases, or who are taking medications that make them vulnerable to dehydration and heat strokes),

athletes, and

i   ndividuals who work outside and physically exert themselves under the sun.

Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 7/18/2012