#MEwx Dangerously hot and muggy today and how to deal with heat stroke and heat exhaustion

Good morning Augusta

Again today, it’s gonna be hotter ‘n hell out there so use your head and stay the hell out of the heat.

This morning we have sunny skies and hot ‘n muggy conditions. Highs in the upper 90s with West winds around 10 mph. Heat index values up to 108°F. That can kill you folks, so stay out of the heat!

Tonight we’ll have partly cloudy skies and humid conditions with lows in the lower 70s. Northwest winds around 10 mph in the evening, becoming light and variable. Heat index values up to 104 early in the evening.

The outdoor temperature is 75.6°F, the dewpoint is 72.6°F and it feels like 77.2°F.

We didn’t receive any rain here over the past 24 hours.

Sunrise is 4:56 am, sunset is 8:28 PM and we’ll have 15 hours 31 minutes of daylight today.

Moonrise is 3:31 AM,  Moonset is 8:31 PM. The moon phase is a NEW MOON and is xx% illuminated. Our next full moon will be on July 10 and our next new moon is on July 24.

The wind is from the South Southwest between 2.2 MPH and 7.8 MPH.

The Relative pressure is 29.73, the Absolute pressure is 29.53 and rising with a weather graphic indicating sun and a few clouds.

The humidity is 89%, the UV index is 2 placing the average person at moderate risk and the solar radiation reading is 7 W/W/M2.

Visibility is 10.0 miles / 16.1 Kilometers with bright, sunny and hot skies.

 

Know the difference between Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion, it might keep you alive.

Overheating is common for those who seek more time in the sun. However, heat exhaustion is a serious concern. If left untreated, it could result in a life-threatening situation known as a Heat Stroke. Heat Strokes occur when your body temperature rises to 103 degrees F or higher. The condition is most commonly experienced during the summer months. This is due to humidity and the sun being high when we spend more time outdoors.

Unsure of how to differentiate between heat exhaustion and a heat stroke?

What is the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke are serious conditions. Heat exhaustion begins with general muscle weakness, sudden excessive sweating, nausea and vomiting, and possible fainting. A heat stroke is when your body’s internal temperature reaches over 103 degrees. You begin experiencing a loss or change of consciousness, agitated, unexplained behavior changes, hot, red, and dry skin.  All of these symptoms should be taken seriously. Call your medical professionals immediately upon onset. According to Healthline, If you experience heat exhaustion for an extended period of time, heatstroke may occur. While many experience heat exhaustion symptoms before heat stroke, it’s not always the case.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat stroke:

There are many symptoms of a heat stroke. Be mindful if you or someone you know experiences the following while spending large amounts of time outdoors in the summer:

 

Sudden Severe Headache: It may be a migraine or just “any other headache.”  Be aware of any sudden headache onset, however. If you are spending time in the heat and high humidity, this could be a signal that our body is overheating fast.

 

Unexplained confusion or odd behavior. If someone suddenly shows signs of dizziness, confusion or agitation, loss of consciousness or disorientation, call 911. These are all beginning signs of a heat stroke.

Sudden rush of feeling cold and chills while sweating: When your body can’t regulate your temperature, it may send chills down your spine, literally. If you’re hot and sweating yet experiencing chills and a feeling of being cold, seek emergency care and take steps to cool down your body temperature fast.

 

Alteration in sweating. The Mayo Clinic states, “In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in a heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.” Pay attention to your skin and how you feel during strenuous activities while in a warm climate.

Racing Heart Rate, Rapid Breathing, Nausea, and vomiting. You could feel your heart rate increase rapidly without doing any strenuous activity and the culprit is a heat stroke. You may begin to feel sick to your stomach or physically vomit. If you experience any of these signs, it’s your body telling you to cool down, stat.