The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning going through Sunday at 8 p.m.
Kosciusko County is included in the Watch, as are Adams; Allen; Blackford; Cass; De Kalb; Elkhart; Fulton; Grant; Huntington; Jay; La Porte; Lagrange; Marshall; Miami; Noble; Pulaski; St. Joseph; Starke; Steuben; Wabash; Wells; White; Whitley.
The Warning means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.
WNDU Meteorologist David Harker says that having a Heat Watch alone is a rare thing for our part of the state.
“This is the first time since July 2012 that we’ve seen the extensive Heat Watch show up. If you remember, there were four consecutive days from July 4 to July of 2012 that we were at least 100 degrees,” he tells News Now Warsaw.
“It just goes to show you it doesn’t happen that often. That was six years ago, but we have that same type of air mass over our area with the extreme heat.”
Harker says temperatures are expected to rise into the lower to middle 90s on Friday and a even a few degrees hotter on Saturday. Heat indices will reach near 105 on Friday and around 110 on Saturday.
The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will lead to an increased risk of heat related stress and illness. The very young, the elderly, those without air conditioning, and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities will be the most susceptible.
“It easily could be very problematic for those that have breathing problems. Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are probably going to happen. The best advice to stay away from those type of problems is to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, get into the shade as much as you can, and take frequent breaks,” Meteorologist David Harker explains. “If you don’t have to go out, it’s just best to stay at home.”
The hottest hours outdoors will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For those who do not have shelter or air conditioning, relief from the heat will be available at cooling centers at Pete Thorn Center today (800 N. Park Ave.), or Fellowship Missions (1520 E. Winona Ave.) today through Sunday.
