DANGEROUS HEAT THIS WEEKEND!

Good evening. For much of the state, it was a hot and VERY humid day! Highs ranged from the upper 80's to low 90's. Even right now, it is still in the lower 80's out! Those temps will only slooooowly drop to the low-middle 70's overnight, as the air remains very humid.


While there was a chance of storms today, most areas have seen no rain, with much of the activity being along the front in north-central Indiana. This is where we have a clash of air masses. Northern Indiana is experiencing a dry and comfortable air mass, while central and southern Indiana is feeling the tropical air mass, with all the humidity. Here is a look at radar, you can see the storms forming north of Indianapolis, along the front.

That front will begin to work northward tonight as a warm front, with the heat and humidity taking center stage all weekend long!


Here is the weekend forecast! Does the word hot even say enough for this forecast? Whew!

Make sure you are prepared for the heat. Remember, it's still early in the season, so we aren't accustomed to heat of this magnitude. Here is a great link for heat safety tips: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/index.shtml

Here are some interesting facts. If my predicted high for Sunday is correct, it will not only make the hottest Indy 500 ever, but will tie for the highest temperature ever reached in May in Indianapolis. That record was set 101 years ago! 


The NWS has made the right call by issuing a heat advisory from noon tomorrow through 8pm Sunday. Here is their statement.....

* TEMPERATURE: HEAT INDEX VALUES IN THE MIDDLE 90S FOR
  SATURDAY...AND EVEN WARMER HEAT INDICES IN THE UPPER 90S TO
  AROUND 100 DEGREES FOR SUNDAY. OVERNIGHT HEAT INDICES WILL
  ALSO BE QUITE WARM IN THE MID TO UPPER 70S.

* IMPACTS: THOSE PLANNING TO SPEND TIME OUTDOORS THIS WEEKEND
  SHOULD TAKE EXTRA CARE TO AVOID SUNBURN AND DEHYDRATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR
LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK
PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK...THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 9 1 1.

Finally, here is the 7-day forecast. Despite the oppressive heat this weekend, a big cool-down is on the way for the second half of next week. Some models hint at highs in the 60's next Friday, believe it or not!!

Have an awesome and blessed Holiday weekend. Stay cool, if possible. :)