Heat index could top 100 this week

The warmest temperatures are expected from Tuesday to Friday.

By MEGAN TROTTER
TribLive

Allegheny and Westmoreland counties are in for a sweltering stretch as a weeklong heat wave settles over Western Pennsylvania, with heat index values expected to top 100 degrees headed into the holiday weekend.

Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Moon forecast the temperatures will be at their hottest from Tuesday through Friday.

Dr. Donald Yealy, chief medical officer at UPMC, said when temperatures rise the only thing the public can really control is their heat exposure.

Prolonged heat exposure can cause dizziness, dehydration, heat stroke and preexisting lung and heart conditions to worsen. “Be careful when you’re out there,” said Yealy, who’s also chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at University of Pittsburgh.

At first signs of not feeling quite right, Yealy said, people should get out of the sun and hydrate.

At the start of the week, both counties’ temperatures will pose a minor to moderate risk, before heat soars above 90 degrees Tuesday. Temperatures at that level pose a major heat risk for much of the population, especially those who are heat sensitive and without effective cooling or adequate hydration, according to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk Tool online.

On Sunday, the National Weather Service’s online tool forecast an extreme heat risk, which is a rare or long-duration of extreme heat with no overnight relief, in Allegheny County beginning Wednesday and spanning through Saturday.

Today is expected to see a high of 90 degrees and a low of 66 degrees. Tuesday is forecast to reach a high of 94 degrees before dropping down to 71 degrees in the evening. Highs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are forecast between 96 and 98 degrees, with lows between 75 and 77 degrees.

Saturday will have a high of 93 degrees and a low of 74 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

Westmoreland County had not yet issued a heat advisory as of noon Sunday, although the county is expected to see temperatures that pose an extreme heat risk Thursday and Friday, before temperatures drop slightly to finish out the week at a high of 90 degrees, categorized as a major risk.

Officials at Westmoreland County emergency medical services and public safety departments could not be reached Sunday for comment.

“People with a chronic medical condition are less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature. Also, they may be taking medications that can intensify the effects of extreme heat,” said Westmoreland’s extreme heat toolkit.

Today’s forecast in Westmoreland has a high of 87 degrees and a low of 64 degrees.

From Tuesday through Friday, Westmoreland residents will see highs above 90 degrees, with temperatures reaching a high of 95 degrees on Thursday. Lows will range between 69 degrees to 74 degrees Tuesday through Friday.

Saturday will have a low of 71 degrees, according to the HeatRisk Tool.

Jason Frazier, a National Weather Service meteorologist, warned continued high heat in the evenings could be taxing on air conditioning units.

“It is just as concerning — not just how warm it gets during the afternoons, but how little sometimes we cool off during the overnight periods,” Frazier said.

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services issued a Code Red Heat Advisory on Friday for the first half of the week.

“If you need to be outdoors, be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion: dizziness, nausea, headache, or excessive sweating. When in doubt, take a break, cool down and seek help,” the Allegheny County DHS said.

Officials did not provide comment on whether Allegheny County planned on extending the heat advisory into Thursday and throughout the July 4 holiday weekend.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kovacik Eicher, associate chief medical officer for Independence Health System, said with hot temperatures expected locally, it is important to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged time outside during the hottest parts of the day and wear lightweight clothing.

“If someone develops symptoms including confusion, dizziness, rapid pulse, hot or dry skin, or loss of consciousness, seek emergency medical care immediately, as these may be signs of heat stroke,” Kovacik Eicher said.

“There is still scenarios where we could have showers and thunderstorms,” Frazier said Friday. “If we get storms, it’ll stop that heating process, and so it may cause us to fall short of those sort of readings.”

But as of Sunday, chances for rain remained below 10% to 15%, meteorologists said.