Central Texas Heat Wave Prompts Concern, Advice For Residents

AUSTIN, TX — With temperatures this week expected again in the mid-90s to the lower 100s, emergency officials are reminding residents to stay hydrated when outdoors.

Austin police urge residents to drink plenty of water to avoid heat stroke amid such high temperatures. Similarly, Austin-Travis County EMS medics retweeted advice from the National Weather Service last week amid high temperatures expected to continue this week.

Last week, temps in the upper 90s to 102 degrees under humid conditions yielded heat indices from 104 degrees to 109 degrees. "Remain hydrated & never leave children, disabled adults or pets in parked vehicles!" the tweet read.

On its website, Familydoctor.org offers tips to stay hydrated:

• Keep a bottle of water with you during the day. To reduce your costs, carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water.
• If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding a slice of lemon or lime to your drink.
• Drink water before, during, and after a workout.
• When you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full.
• If you have trouble remembering to drink water, drink on a schedule. For example, drink water when you wake up, at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and when you go to bed. Or, drink a small glass of water at the beginning of each hour.
• Drink water when you go to a restaurant. It will keep you hydrated, and it’s free.

According to the National Weather Service, the unforgiving Texas summer heat is expected to continue through the week. Forecasters said it would be mostly sunny and hot on Monday afternoon, with a high near 102 degrees. Heat index values could rise as high as 109 degrees, meteorologists added. The wind won't offer much relief at a negligible 10 miles per hour blowing in from the south, forecasters added.

By nightfall, increasing clouds are expected to emerge with a low around 78 degrees. South winds will blow between five to 5 to 10 miles per hours, with gusts as high as 25 miles per hour.

Here is the rest of the forecast for the coming days:

• Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 107. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. South wind around 5 mph.
• Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
• Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. South wind around 5 mph.
• Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
• Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 101.
• Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76.
• Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100.