Central US braces for ‘heat dome;’ heat indexes to top 100

The National Weather Service has now continued the Heat Advisory through Saturday evening for much of the area.

The heat index later this afternoon will make it feel like around 100 on a day that includes air quality alerts, heat advisories and the threat of thunderstorms, the National Weather Service says.

Highs are in the lower to middle 90s. This risky heat that can cause heat stress and stroke if we continue to ignore conditions and body signs of headaches and failing to perspire.

Be sure to drink plenty of water. The time for talk is just about over, and we’ve been talking about the impending heat wave since last week.

With the heat warning that is blanketing much of Ontario and many regions in the central United States, it is important to do not forget to take all recommendations to avoid heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion seriously.

Meteorologists are warning, however, that the high temperatures and low humidity, combined with low rain levels this year, carry a higher potential for fire danger on Thursday.

People participating in outdoor activities should limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.

The weather service advises those without air conditioning or working outside should practice extreme caution.

Temperatures statewide are expected to climb into the mid to upper 90s on Friday with dew points hovering in the 70s. Vehicle interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes in these conditions.

The heat index forecast for Friday. We could see some scattered strong storms mainly during the afternoon and evening hours and these storms will produce a lot of lightning, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds. This means the heat warning doesn’t end until 7 pm Sunday for Lyon and most surrounding counties and 8 pm Saturday for the exceptions, Chase and Greenwood counties.