Community Corner

Excessive Heat Warning in Effect Thursday Afternoon

Heat index will peak at 105 to 107 degrees.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Allegheny County today, Thursday.

The warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. An excessive heat warning meanest that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and humidity will create the possibility of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Peak heat index values are expected to be 105 to 107 degrees this afternoon.

People spending a lot of time outside should wear light weight and loose-fitting clothing, and drink a lot of water to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Otherwise, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun or try to reschedule strenuous outdoor activities to the evening.

According to MedicineNet, symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomiting, headache, lightheadedness and muscle cramps.

Heat stroke is a form of hypothermia in which the body temperature is dramatically elevated. Signs of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Symptoms include high body temperature, the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and/or coma.

Heat stroke is an emergency. Anyone suspecting that they or someone else have heat stroke should call 911.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here