...NWS HEAT INDEX PROGRAM AND SURVIVING THE HEAT...


WHEN SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY COMBINE TO PRODUCE HEAT INDEX
VALUES TO LEVELS THAT BEGIN TO AFFECT PEOPLES COMFORT LEVELS...THE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE...ISSUES AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH...HEAT
ADVISORY...OR EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN ITS FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS.
THE HEAT INDEX INFORMS PEOPLE OF AN INCREASED LEVEL OF HOT...
HUMID...AND MUGGY WEATHER.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT DURING THESE PERIODS OF OPPRESSIVE HEAT...
THAT DEATHS RELATED TO HEAT STRESS...INCREASE ABOVE THE NORMAL
LEVELS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL BE USING TERMINOLOGY TO IDENTIFY
THOSE DAYS WHEN HEAT STRESS WILL BE THE WORST AND POSE THE GREATEST
DANGER TO THOSE SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT STRESS. THE TERMINOLOGY IS...

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH...HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST IN THE
NEXT 24 TO 48 HOURS.

HEAT ADVISORY...HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR
WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING...DANGEROUS HEAT STRESS CONDITIONS ARE
FORECAST TO OCCUR WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

WHEN HOT...BUT NOT PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS HEAT AND HUMIDITY
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED...THE HEAT ADVISORY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE
LOCAL FORECASTS AND STATEMENTS FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
HOWEVER...WHEN THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY INCREASES TO THE POINT THAT THEY
BEGIN TO POSE A GREATER OR MORE DANGEROUS THREAT TO THE AREA...AN
EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING WILL BE ISSUED. THIS WILL LET EVERYONE KNOW
THAT THE SUMMER WEATHER MAY BE TURNING DEADLY.

...Heat Safety Tips...

1.) Slow Down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated,
or rescheduled to the cooler times of the day.

2.) Dress for Summer. Lightweight light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight.

3.) Drink Plenty of Water. Your body needs water to keep cool.
Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty.

4.) When Possible, Spend More Time in Air-Conditioned
Places. If air conditioning is not available, make sure to have a fan to help circulate the air. Many people, especially the elderly, succumb to the heat as their indoor living quarters become too hot.

5.) Take a Bath or Shower with Cool Water.

6.) Do Not Get Too Much Sun. Sunburn can significantly retard the
body's ability to shed excess heat.

7.) Never Leave Children or Pets Alone in Closed Vehicles.