Community Corner
Heat Advisory Issued by NWS for Hennepin County
The advisory is in effect from 1 p.m. July 16 to 9 p.m. July 18, 2013. Daytime temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-90's.
With no relief in sight until maybe Friday, the greater Twin Cities area is under a heat advisory beginning 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 and lasting through 9 p.m. Thursday, July 18, according to the National Weather Service.
A large area of high pressure is staying put over the midwest, which will allow hot and humid conditions to persist until a cold front drops south Thursday night bringing somewhat cooler and drier air Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
But it may come at a price with possible thunderstorms.
Temperatures are expected in the low to mid 90s, but with the high humidity it will feel more like 100 degrees in the afternoon. The evenings and overnight won't bring much relief either as temperatures will only be falling into the 70s.
As a reference, dewpoints in the 70s are normally seen in more tropical areas, such as South America.
The NWS said heat combined with Gulf of Mexico air and its corresponding moisture will make dangerous conditions for those without air conditioning on Tuesday and Wednesday.
How will you be beating the heat? Add your ideas in comments below.
On the Maple Grove Patch Facebook page the Maple Grove Farmers Market suggested, "Can't beat swimming at the MG Community Center and then stopping by to shop the Farmers Market while you're still cool! Thursday 3-7!" Another reader, Amy Lantaigne, suggested keeping the kids indoors at the Xtra Innings batting cages.
Here's a few previous air conditioning tips from blogger Corey Hickmann, Comfort Matters Heating & Cooling:
The NWS offers these heat safety tips:
Recognizing Heat-Related Illness
During extremely hot and humid weather the body's ability to cool itself is affected. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and heat-related illnesses may develop.
Heat-related illnesses can range from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to more serious heat stroke. Heat stroke can result in death and requires immediate medical attention.
Factors or conditions that can make some people more susceptible to heat-related illnesses include age (older adults and young children), obesity, fever, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, prescription drug and alcohol use, and sunburn. Sunburn, caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, can significantly retard the skin's ability to shed excess heat.
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The sun's shortwave radiation (yellow in figure below) heats objects that it strikes. For example, a dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200°F. These objects (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, child seat) heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection and also give off longwave radiation (red in figure below) which is very efficient at warming the air trapped inside a vehicle.
Keep an eye on pets, the elderly and remember to be careful with infants and young children in the heat, especially in cars. The recent deaths of two children on the East Coast during 90 degree weather underscore the dangers of leaving young ones in hot cars.
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