000 WWUS84 KAMA 020208 AAA SPSAMA SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...UPDATED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AMARILLO TX 908 PM CDT MON AUG 1 2011 OKZ001>003-TXZ001>020-021300- ARMSTRONG-BEAVER-CARSON-CIMARRON-COLLINGSWORTH-DALLAM-DEAF SMITH- DONLEY-GRAY-HANSFORD-HARTLEY-HEMPHILL-HUTCHINSON-LIPSCOMB-MOORE- OCHILTREE-OLDHAM-POTTER-RANDALL-ROBERTS-SHERMAN-TEXAS-WHEELER- 908 PM CDT MON AUG 1 2011 ...HOT WEATHER WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THURSDAY... AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY WILL BE BETWEEN 100 AND 108 DEGREES ACROSS MOST OF THE AREA. THE EXCEPTION TO THIS WILL BE THE WESTERN OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE AND THE FAR NORTHWEST TEXAS PANHANDLE...WHERE THE PRESENCE OF A COLD FRONT WILL KEEP HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE 95 TO 100 DEGREE RANGE TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. LOW TEMPERATURES ON TUESDAY...WEDNESDAY...AND THURSDAY MORNING WILL LIKELY RANGE FROM THE MID TO UPPER 60S IN THE WESTERN PARTS OF THE PANHANDLES TO THE MID 70S IN THE EASTERN PANHANDLES. HEAT INDEX VALUES ARE EXPECTED TO MEET OR EXCEED 105 DEGREES MAINLY ACROSS THE FAR EASTERN PANHANDLES DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY. THESE HOT TEMPERATURES ARE CONSIDERED AT THE LEVEL WHERE MANY PEOPLE BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE EXTREME DISCOMFORT OR PHYSICAL STRESS. REMEMBER...THE TEMPERATURE IS MEASURED UNDER SHADY CONDITIONS...AND DIRECT EXPOSURE TO SUNSHINE CAN INCREASE THE WAY THE TEMPERATURE FEELS BY AS MUCH AS 15 TO 20 DEGREES. ON AVERAGE...HEAT KILLS MORE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES THAN TORNADOES AND LIGHTNING COMBINED. IF YOU ARE PLANNING ANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY...AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THE HEAT OR STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER TO AVOID DEHYDRATION. AVOID ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AS THEY WILL INCREASE THE RATE OF WATER LOSS IN YOUR BODY...INCREASING THE RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT...LIGHT COLORED...AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING. USE A HAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM THE SUN AND APPLY SUNBLOCK TO REDUCE SUNBURN. NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN VEHICLES...EVEN IF THE WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN. THE TEMPERATURE INSIDE A VEHICLE CAN CLIMB TO 150 DEGREES OR MORE IN LESS THAN ONE HOUR. ENSURE OUTDOOR PETS HAVE ADEQUATE DRINKING WATER AND A SHADY PLACE TO REST. $$ MBS/JACKSON