With temperatures expected to rise above 90 degrees for the first time this year, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) reminds Iowans to keep health in mind during the hot weather. “People suffer heat-related illness when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn’t enough,” said IPDH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “Although people with cardiac and other medical problems are especially at risk, even young and healthy individuals can have a heat-related illness if they are very active during hot weather or the heat index is very high.”

To protect your health when temperatures and humidity are high, remember to keep cool and use common sense. The following tips are important:

• Increase fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. The best way to tell you are well-hydrated is if your urine is light yellow. If it gets dark, stop and rehydrate by drinking water immediately.
• If experiencing a lot of sweating, replace salt and minerals by eating foods like bananas and salty crackers, or drink rehydrating beverages that contain salts such as sports drinks and special rehydration fluids.
• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and wear sunscreen.
• Wear hats that shade your face such as sun hats, visors, etc.
• Keep in the shade or air conditioned areas as much as possible.
• Work slowly if you are not used to working or exercising in heat and humidity. Stop immediately if you get dizzy, nauseated, or feel weak. Go into an air conditioned space and drink cool liquids.
• Use a buddy system. Watch others for heat-induced illness, since some people may not realize that they are suffering heat-related illnesses, and can become confused or lose consciousness.

As Iowans enjoy more outdoor recreational opportunities and events, it’s important to remember some basic summer safety guidelines, which can be summarized with the word ‘SHADE’:

• S – Sunscreen. Put on sunscreen with a sun protective factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and reapply throughout the day, especially if swimming or sweating.
• H – Heat safety. Drink lots of water and other non-alcoholic, sugar-free fluids; wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing when outdoors, especially when active; and when temperatures soar, stay in the shade or air conditioning as much as possible.
• A – Animal contact. Remember to wash your hands after touching animals at places like petting zoos or county fairs. Avoid stray and wild animals; they may carry diseases like rabies.
• D – DEET.  To prevent being bitten by ticks and mosquitoes that can carry diseases like West Nile virus and Lyme disease, use insect repellent with DEET (follow the label directions when using, especially on children).
• E – Eating outdoors. Grill all meats until thoroughly cooked and always keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

For more information about hot weather health, visit www.cdc.gov/Features/ExtremeHeat/.

Today: P/Cldy. High 91. S @ 10-20.

Tonight: P/Cldy w/isolated shwrs possible late. Low 70. S @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Partly Cloudy w/iso. Shwrs possible early. High near 94. S @ 10-20.

Friday: P/Cldy & humid. High 95.

Saturday: P/Cldy & humid. High 92.

Wednesday’s High in Atlantic was 86. Our 24-hour Low thru 7-a.m. today was 56. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 95 and the low was 61. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 101 in 1985. The Record Low was 38 in 1915.

342 AM CDT THU JUN 9 2016

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLEAR. WARMER. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND 10 TO 20 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE LOWER 70S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

FRIDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTH WIND 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH. HIGHEST HEAT INDEX READINGS AROUND 100 IN THE AFTERNOON.

SUNDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S.

The forecast calls for the hottest weather of the year so far to arrive in Iowa tomorrow (Thursday), which happens to coincide with Heat Awareness Day. Meteorologist Kenny Podrazik, at the National Weather Service, says it’s not officially summertime yet, but it’ll sure feel like it. “We’ll be up into the low 90s Thursday, and then Friday and into the weekend, we’ll be well into the mid 90s on Friday, Saturday and even into Sunday,” Podrazik says. “Sunday it may be a little cooler, but it’ll be nice and hot.”

Podrazik says Heat Awareness Day is a time to remind Iowans about the steamy season ahead and how to conduct best themselves. “Never leave kids or pets unattended when the car is off,” he says. “Limit strenuous outdoor activities. Find shade. Always stay hydrated. If you work outside, the biggest thing is to take breaks in the shade.”

The first day of summer is June 20th. Find more information about Heat Awareness Day at www.weather.gov/dmx

(Radio Iowa)

Today: Partly Cloudy. High 83. SE @ 5-10.

Tonight: P/Cldy w/isolated showers possible. Low 65. SE @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Partly Cloudy. High near 90. S @ 5-10.

Friday & Saturday: P/Cldy, warm & humid. High’s both days around 94.

Tuesday’s High in Atlantic was 79. Our 24-hour Low thru 7-a.m. today was 53. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 87 and the low was 56. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 102in 1985. The Record Low was 38 in 1930.

410 AM CDT WED JUN 8 2016

EARLY THIS MORNING…PARTLY CLOUDY. SOUTHEAST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TODAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 80S. SOUTHEAST WIND NEAR 10 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. WARMER. LOW IN THE MID 60S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND T0 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 25 MPH.

SATURDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 90S.

Today: Mostly Sunny. High 77. N @ 10-15.

Tonight: Fair to Partly Cloudy. Low 49.

Tomorrow: Partly Sunny. High 82. SE @ 10.

Thursday: P/Cldy. High 89.

Friday: P/Cldy. High 94.

Monday’s High in Atlantic was 83. Our 24-hour Low thru 7-a.m. today was 50. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 83 and the low was 56. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 98 in 1934 & 2011. The Record Low was 36 in 1894.

339 AM CDT TUE JUN 7 2016

EARLY THIS MORNING…CLEAR. NORTHWEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TODAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. NORTH WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE MID 50S. NORTH WIND NEAR 5 MPH SHIFTING TO THE SOUTHEAST AROUND 5 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 80S. SOUTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 90S. SOUTHWEST WIND 5 TO 15 MPH.

FRIDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 90S.

Today: Partly Cloudy. High 82. NW @ 10-20.

Tonight: Fair to P/Cldy. Low 50. NW @ 5-10.

Tomorrow: Mostly Sunny. High 77. N @ 10.

Wednesday: P/Cldy. High 82. S/SE @ 5-10.

Thursday: P/Cldy. High 88.

Sunday’s High in Atlantic was 86. Our 24-hour Low thru 7-a.m. today was 53. Last year on this date, our High in Atlantic was 79 and the low was 66. The All-time Record High in Atlantic on this date was 103 in 1933. The Record Low was 32 in 1894.

352 AM CDT MON JUN 6 2016

EARLY THIS MORNING…MOSTLY CLEAR. WEST WIND NEAR 5 MPH.

TODAY…SUNNY. A 20 PERCENT CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS EARLY IN THE AFTERNOON. BREEZY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 80S. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 20 MPH INCREASING TO 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS TO AROUND 30 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON.

TONIGHT…MOSTLY CLEAR. LOW IN THE LOWER 50S. NORTH WIND 5 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH THROUGH MIDNIGHT.

TUESDAY…SUNNY. HIGH IN THE MID 70S. NORTHWEST WIND 5 TO 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE LOWER 80S. SOUTH WIND NEAR 10 MPH.

THURSDAY…MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGH IN THE UPPER 80S.