More Scorching Temperatures on the Way

• Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 7 mph.
• Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Light southwest wind.
• Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming west 5 to 8 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Thursday Night: Isolated showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Friday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
• Saturday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Saturday Night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
• Sunday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

The Chester County Hospital Website has important information about what to watch out for during the heatwave.

How to Recognize and Treat Heat Exhaustion and Heatstroke

• Cool down the body as quickly as possible.

Heatstroke

The signs of heatstroke in a person are hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. A person experiencing heatstroke can have a very high body temperature -- sometimes as high as 105°F (41° C). If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, the skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.

Heatstroke is a life-threatening situation. If you suspect someone is suffering from heatstroke, call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person's body -- immerse it in a cool bath or wrap it in wet sheets and fan it. Watch for signs of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the person refuses water, is vomiting, or exhibits changes in the level of consciousness, do not give him or her anything to eat or drink.

Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine because they can cause further

dehydration, making conditions worse.

Heat Exhaustion

The signs of heat exhaustion in a person are cool, moist, pale, or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. A person experiencing heat exhaustion may have a normal body temperature, or it is likely to be rising.

If you suspect someone is suffering from heat exhaustion, move the person to a cooler place.Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets dipped in water. If the person is conscious, give him or her cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Let the person rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.

Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine because they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.

Heat Cramps

Heat cramps are muscle spasms that are caused by excessive sweating that results in a deficiency of salt. Although not as serious as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, heat cramps sometimes precede them. If someone is suffering from heat cramps, move the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes.

Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine because they can cause further dehydration, making conditions worse.