Heat Advisory Issued for Oakdale

Article by Shawn Hogendorf

The heat advisory expires at 9 p.m. Thursday, and warns of high heat and humidity combining to make deadly conditions this week.

The warm conditions arrived in the valley on Monday afternoon, and the humidity will arrive tonight with dew points rising from 62 this afternoon to above 70.

The National Weather Service says heat combined with Gulf of Mexico air and its corresponding moisture will make dangerous conditions for those without air conditioning on Tuesday and Wednesday when temperatures rise into the 90s, pushing heat indices over 100 degrees.

Chance of Thunderstorms Later This Week

According to the NWS, there is a chance of thunderstorms Thursday into Friday, with the most likely window for strong severe storms to arrive Thursday night, bringing the possibility of damaging winds and hail.

Thunderstorms are expected to return to the area Sunday night into Monday, although the NWS says the severe threat for these storms is "low" at this time.

The NWS offers these heat safety tips, including:

Recognizing Heat-Related Illness

During extremely hot and humid weather the body's ability to cool itself is affected. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and heat-related illnesses may develop.

Heat-related illnesses can range from heat cramps to heat exhaustion to more serious heat stroke. Heat stroke can result in death and requires immediate medical attention.

Factors or conditions that can make some people more susceptible to heat-related illnesses include age (older adults and young children), obesity, fever, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, prescription drug and alcohol use, and sunburn.

Sunburn, caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun, can significantly retard the skin's ability to shed excess heat.