Next Tuesday, June 21st, will officially be the FIRST DAY OF SUMMER in 2022, and the hotter temperatures have already started to appear. 

It’s important to be prepared to deal with hot weather – and be aware of the warning signs associated with any overheating including dizziness, extreme sweating, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting – and just what you need to do should you or anyone else experience these symptoms.

The best defense is prevention.   Here are some common-sense tips to keep in mind:

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask your doctor how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others.  Frequently check on:
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

Today

Mostly Sunny with isolated late day thunderstorms possible / High of 95 – Heat Index around 105

Tonight

Partly Cloudy / Low of 72

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny with late afternoon thunderstorms possible / High of 96 – Heat Index Values around 105

Tuesday Night

Partly Cloudy / Low of 71

Wednesday

Sunny skies with a 40% chance of late day thunderstorms / High of 97

EXTENDED FORECAST 

Thursday and Friday

Mostly Sunny with isolated late day thunderstorms / Highs in the mid-90’s

Hazardous Weather Outlook

National Weather Service Birmingham AL / 405 AM CDT Mon Jun 13 2022

Marion-Lamar-Fayette-Winston-Walker-Blount-Etowah-Calhoun-Cherokee-Cleburne-Pickens-Tuscaloosa-Jefferson-Shelby-St. Clair-Talladega- Clay-Randolph-Sumter-Greene-Hale-Perry-Bibb-Chilton-Coosa-Tallapoosa-Chambers-Marengo-Dallas-Autauga-Lowndes-Elmore-Montgomery-Macon-Bullock-Lee-Russell-Pike-Barbour

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for the counties served by the National Weather Service office in Birmingham.

Outlook through Tonight.

Hot and humid conditions are expected across Central Alabama today. Heat indices will reach 105 degrees for many areas. Residents should take precaution if spending time outdoors.

Tuesday through Sunday.

Hot and humid conditions will continue across Central Alabama this week. This combination may cause heat indices to reach 105 degrees each afternoon through Friday.