MARTINSVILLE, VA – Over the last 17 days, we have experienced a heat wave, which is three or more days of 90° temperatures. We typically see a few heat waves every year in the summer time, but never this long in one setting.
While you are out in the sun, there are a couple tips to keep in mind:
Heat Index Values: It is the temperature to the human body and the relative humidity is mixed in with the air temperature. An example is if the outdoor temperature is between 90°-95°, the heat index value is between 109°-114°.
UV Index: A measuring scale between 1-11+ (low -high) showcases the values of how long it takes for you to get a sunburn. If the scale is between 1-5, there is a 45-60 minute time frame to get a burn. If the scale is between 5-11, the chance of getting a sun burn is moderate to extreme risk, with a 10-45 minutes window.
As those are important tips to know, be sure to check on family, friends, neighbors, and pets. When you are looking for clothing options, choice light and loose-fit outfits, as darker clothing absorbs heat in faster.
With the summer temperatures that have been forecasted daily, more and more people want to stay outside longer, especially in the middle part of the day. If you or know of someone has an outdoor job, always stay hydrated by drinking water, finding air conditioning or a shady area, and don't overexert yourself, which could cause a heat stroke or severe illness to the body.
Finally, pay attention to your body temperature (98.6°) in the summer heat. Your body releases sweat, which allows evaporation cooling to cool us down. This takes a longer time for you to cool off in the heat, especially when there is a higher percentage of humidity and dew point levels in the atmosphere.
If you are looking for a cool down in sight, the only options is to find a lake or pool to dip in, or the typical pop-up showers and storms in the afternoon. The long-range computer models are forecasting no end in sight.