…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT SATURDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN DES MOINES HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT SATURDAY. THE WARNING EXPIRES IN FAR WEST & SW IA AND PARTS OF FAR EASTERN NEBRASKA AT 9-P.M. FRIDAY. THE HEAT ADVISORY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

HEAT INDICES OF 100 TO 110 DEGREES ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOON, AS HIGH TEMPERATURES CLIMB INTO THE UPPER 90S TO AROUND 100 DEGREES. HEAT INDICES WILL REMAIN IN THE 90S TO LOW 100S DURING THE EVENINGS RESULTING IN LITTLE RELIEF.

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS…STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM…STAY OUT OF THE SUN… AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK…THE OCCUPATIONAL AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY – CALL 911.