Mercury tops 100 for first time this summer, threatening heat records
As barbecues, swimming lessons and vacations start to heat up this summer, so is the temperature.
The temperature hit triple digits – 103 degrees – for the first time this summer on Wednesday, and the heat isn’t going to stop there, despite a cooling shower Wednesday night.
The current record high for Wichita on June 16 is 100, so the record is “very vulnerable,” said meteorologist Eric Metzger of Wichita’s branch of the National Weather Service.
The forecast shows temperatures hitting 100 on Thursday and getting close on Friday, Metzger said. Temperatures in the high 90s also are forecast for the weekend.
“It’s going to be a hot week and a hot weekend,” he said.
Heat advisories
The Wichita branch of the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Wednesday for 10 counties in its area, and it plans to expand the heat advisory Thursday to cover much of central Kansas, including Sedgwick County, Metzger said.
The heat advisory is expected to last until 9 p.m. Thursday, but that can change and extend to the weekend depending on how the forecast models change, he said.
The human body cools itself based on how much humidity is in the air. The more moisture in the air, the harder it is for the body to perspire correctly, Metzger said.
Once the heat index gets into the 100s, the body reacts to the air as if it is much warmer because it can’t cool itself, he said.
“When it’s that high, stay indoors, drink lots of water, keep elderly and children, pets indoors; that way you’re in air-conditioned environments,” Metzger said.
Free fans
A limited quantity of fans are available at Salvation Army’s three locations in Wichita, said Cheryl Warne, director of Emergency Services.
Anyone can come in for a fan, but they must bring proof of ID, proof of address and proof of income, Warne said. If someone has received a fan from the Salvation Army within the past two years, however, it is unlikely that they will qualify for another one, she said.
If people need to escape the heat and do not have a cool, air-conditioned place, they can come into any of the three Salvation Army locations in Wichita for some relief, Warne said.
“We’ll be glad to help if we can,” Warne said.
Morgan Bell: mbell@wichitaeagle.com
Beat the heat
Tips for staying cool and staying safe
▪ Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose clothes and hats and sunglasses
▪ Apply sunscreen and lip balm of SPF 15 or higher
▪ Limit outdoor activity and avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
▪ Drink more fluids; don’t wait until you’re thirsty
▪ Avoid alcohol, caffeine, high-sugary drinks and very cold drinks
▪ Stay indoors; if possible, stay somewhere air-conditioned
▪ Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle
For pets
▪ Don’t leave pets unattended in cars
▪ Watch for signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, unable to calm down, brick-red gum color, fast pulse, unable to get up
▪ Make sure pets have plenty of fresh, cool water
▪ Bring pets indoors
Signs of heat exhaustion
▪ Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin
▪ Heavy sweating
▪ Headache
▪ Nausea
▪ Dizziness
▪ Weakness
▪ Exhaustion
How to help heat exhaustion
▪ Move to a cooler place
▪ Remove or loosen tight clothing
▪ Apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin
▪ Use a fan
▪ Drink small amounts of cool water; drink slowly
▪ Watch for changes in condition; call 911 if vomiting or the loss of consciousness occurs
Signs of heatstroke (life-threatening)
▪ Hot, red skin that may be dry or moist
▪ Changes in consciousness
▪ Vomiting and high body temperature
How to help heatstroke
▪ Call 911
▪ Move to a cooler place
▪ Quickly cool down by immersing the body up to the neck in cold water if possible; if not, spray the body with cold water or cover it with wet towels or bags of ice
Sources: American Red Cross; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Mercury tops 100 for first time this summer, threatening heat records."