Heat Wave in Store for Apple Valley and Greater Minnesota, Wisconsin

Apple Valley is going to get hot this weekend—the National Weather Service warns that Minnesota and Wisconsin are in for a sustained heat wave, with an excessive heat watch in effect from Sunday through Wednesday. The forecast for Saturday and Sunday calls for temperatures well into the 90s, a trend that will likely continue well into the beginning of next week.

The weekend also will be humid; those moist conditions will drive up the Heat Index, which the NWS says measures how hot it actually feels outside. For example, 90 degrees Fahrenheit at 70 percent humidity is actually 105 on the Heat Index.

And the Heat Index increases steeply; 96 degrees at 70 percent humidity becomes 126 degrees on the Heat Index.

“That’s kind of what is shaping up later this Saturday and into Wednesday," meteorologist Jim Richardson said. "We’ll have temperatures into the mid-90s and high humidity. Whenever you have [humidity] in the low- to mid-70s combined with temperatures in the 90s it is very, very uncomfortable."

The sizzling heat isn't just an inconvenience—it’s a health hazard. According to the NWS, heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer in the United States. Excessive heat claims an average of 162 lives per year—more than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined.

A prolonged and severe heat wave can spell disaster: During the heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died. A hot spell in August 2003 claimed an estimated 50,000 lives in Europe.

Here are some tips to beat the heat:

• Slow down. Go easy on strenuous exercise or outdoor household work until coolest time of the day. Children, the elderly and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest possible place.

• Dress down in lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.

• Eat light. Heavy foods, like meat and other proteins, increase metabolic heat production and also contribute to water loss.

• Drink plenty of water; avoid alcohol and caffeine.

• Beware of your car, which could become a death trap. Do not leave children or pets unattended in a car during a heat spell.

• To the mall! Try to stay in an air-conditioned place. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.

• Do not take salt tablets unless your physician recommends it.

• Be on the lookout for symptoms of a heat disorder, especially in children, the sick and the elderly, all of whom are especially vulnerable to high temperatures. Generally, the body sheds heat by circulatory changes and sweating. The body’s cooling system can become overtaxed in extreme heat. Excessive sweating can cause a dangerous chemical (salt) imbalance in the body. This generally occurs when the person has stayed out in the heat too long or exercised too much for his age and physical condition.

Here are some things to watch for:

- Sunburn 

- Heat cramps (painful spasms in the muscles of legs and abdomen)

- Heat exhaustion, which is characterized by heavy sweating, weakness, cold and clammy skin, fainting and vomiting. To alleviate heat exhaustion, get the victim inside and out of the sun. Lay him down and apply cool, wet cloths. Give him sips of water, but if vomiting continues, seek medical attention immediately.

- Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related illness. Those suffering heat stroke will have a high body temperature (106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), hot, dry skin and a rapid pulse. They may also fall unconscious. Call an ambulance or get the victim to a hospital as soon as possible if these symptoms occur.

In the meantime, try to cool their body temperature with a cold bath or sponging. Do not give fluids.