Summer is nearly over, but outside temperatures suggest otherwise.
Temperatures in recent weeks have been hot, really hot, with heat indexes reaching well above 100 degrees some days.
This week alone, temperatures have hovered at 95 degrees or higher every day. Today, temperatures are expected to reach 99 degrees with heat index values at 103 degrees.
The heat will continue through the weekend, with temperatures reaching 99 again Saturday and 96 degrees Sunday and Monday.
There is a slight chance of storms Sunday and Monday, which will drop temperatures slightly to 96 degrees both days.
John Moore, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson, said temperatures have been above normal for this time of year.
“It’s definitely abnormal but it’s not unheard of,” he said, noting temperatures at this time are typically in the lower-to-mid 80s.
The hottest day Greenville has experienced this year was when temperatures reached 100 degrees Sept. 8. Since then, the region has faced temperatures of 98 degrees or higher several times.
Although it’s hard to predict the weather too far in advance, Moore said he expects it to be near the end of September before fall weather — low 80s — starts to make its way to the Delta.
“We’re still far out,” he said.
Heat safety tips
When temperatures are high, there is more at stake than the chance of a sunburn. Oftentimes, people experience heat-related illness, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
According to the American Red Cross, symptoms of heat cramps include painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in the leg or abdomen regions; heat exhaustion includes heavy sweating, weakness, fast, weak pulse, dizziness, nausea or vomiting and fainting; and symptoms of heat stroke include an altered mental state, body temperature above 103 degrees F, hot, red dry or moist skin, loss of consciousness and a fast, rapid pulse.
If someone is experiencing heat cramps, apply pressure on the cramping muscles and gently massage the area and give someone sips of water or electrolyte-containing fluid, unless the person complains of nausea. Never give salt tablets.
In the case of heat exhaustion, move the person to a cool area, preferably with circulating air. Lay them down and loosen clothes, apply cool, wet cloths to as much of the body as possible and give water or sports drink when needed.
For someone suffering from heat stroke, call 911 immediately. Until medical help arrives, rapidly cool the body by immersing the person up to the neck in cool water, spraying them with cool water, covering the person with bags of ice or sponge the person’s entire body with ice water-doused towels.
For more safety tips, visit redcross.org.
