Hoosiers could face danger from excessive heat and humidity next week as forecasters are predicting a massive heat wave covering all of Indiana.

The National Weather Service in Indianapolis issued an 8- to 14-day temperature outlook calling for a 90-100% chance of above-normal temperatures beginning Tuesday as the heat covers most of the Great Lakes region.

“Looking ahead, confidence is growing that next week will see the hottest temperatures thus far this year to go along with humid conditions,” the advisory says.

Indianapolis has already seen record-breaking heat this spring and last year was the warmest year recorded in NOAA’s 174-year global climate record “by a long shot.”

NOAA’s chief scientist, Sarah Kapnick, says records will continue to be broken and extreme weather events will grow until emissions are reduced and climate resilience is built.

Indiana will face a major risk of heat-related impacts beginning Monday, according to NWS, which means it can affect “anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.” A rare risk of extreme impacts might hit portions of Northwest and Central Indiana on Tuesday, meaning there could be no overnight relief from the heat.

Current forecast: Central Indiana poised for humid, 90-degree temps this week as first hot swell approaches

How to stay safe during a heat risk

Older Hoosiers and young children are most at risk during extreme heat events. To stay safe and prepared, here’s what the experts suggest:

The American Red Cross

• Stay hydrated and avoid sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
• Electric fans may not provide relief, instead take a cooling shower or bath and find an air-conditioned space

The National Weather Service

• Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities
• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods like fruits or salad

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Choose lightweight, loose-fitting clothes
• Head to a public library or other space with air conditioning

What are the signs of heat-related illness?

Three main heat-related illnesses to be on the lookout for are heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If any of the following symptoms are evident on you or another person: move to a cooler area, loosen any clothing and sip cool water. Seek a medical professional if any of the symptoms don’t improve within an hour.

Heat cramps may be the first sign of illness that could lead to more serious symptoms. Cramps shows up as painful muscle cramps or spasms along with heavy sweating, according to NWS. Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.

Heat exhaustion will show up as heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness with cool and clammy skin. The person’s pulse may be quick but weak and they may exhibit dizziness or nausea. Immediately move the person to an air-conditioned room, loosen clothing and apply cool, wet cloth to the skin.

Heat stroke needs immediate medical attention, so call 9-1-1- or get the patient to a hospital. Heat stroke can appear as throbbing headaches, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperatures above 103 degrees. The patient’s skin can also appear red with a lack of sweat. This is a serious illness and delays in medical care can be fatal.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk

IndyStar’s environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

The Indiana Fever gave Katie Lou Samuelson a win over the Atlanta Dream for her 27th birthday.

The Fever held off a frenzied comeback from the Dream to win 91-84 Thursday. It’s the Fever’s fourth win of the season and the second victory at home at Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Indiana’s Aliyah Boston led the charge with a double-double, matching her career high with 27 points, 13 rebounds and two assists.

“We are resilient. We knew they were going to come back,” Boston said postgame. “We just had to make sure we were there every possession and we competed.” 

Caitlin Clark finished with as many points (7) as turnovers (7). She shot just 3-for-11 from the field, including 1-for-6 on 3-pointers, and had four rebounds and six assists. One of those turnovers came at a pivotal time. The Fever were up 85-82 with less than one minute remaining in the contest when Clark threw a pass behind teammate Kelsey Mitchell, resulting in a steal from the Dream’s Cheyenne Parker-Tyus … who threw an errant pass and instantly turned it back over to Mitchell, who laid it up to extend the Fever’s lead to 87-82 with 47 seconds left.

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The Fever had a 15-point halftime lead over the Dream following a dominant first half from Boston and Mitchell, who had 17 and 16 first-half points, respectively. Indiana was able to make its run due to the Dream’s Rhyne Howard being limited with foul trouble. Howard picked up three early fouls and only played eight minutes in the first half.

All bets were off in the second half. The Fever came out ice cold in the third quarter, while Howard came out scorching hot. The Dream went on a 36-17 run to take the lead, 80-79, with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter on back-to-back 3-pointersfrom Howard, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft.

The Fever, however, didn’t panic and responded with a 12-4 run of their own to close the game and seal the win.

Mitchell finished with 24 points, two assists and two steals. Samuelson added 11 points and three rebounds off the bench. For the Dream, Howard had 26 points, two rebounds and two steals. Parker-Tyus added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Fever move to 4-10 on the season, while the Dream drop to 5-6.

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Former President Donald Trump issued an unexpected endorsement in Indiana’s Republican lieutenant governor race Thursday — backing Rep. Julie McGuire for the nomination.

She is the choice of GOP gubernatorial primary winner U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, a staunch Trump advocate.

The move comes as 1,800 Republican party insiders prepare to choose on Saturday who’s on the ballot for Indiana’s second-highest office. It’s the first competitive lieutenant governor contest in decades.

Delegates have a choice between Christian nationalist  and pastor Micah Beckwith — who’s been on the campaign trail for a year since launching an unusually public bid — and McGuire, who’s been on the road for the month since her post-primary campaign launch.

Delegates traditionally lean more conservative than Republican general election and even primary election voters. And they haven’t always fallen in line with party leadership.

Beckwith has argued that Hoosiers need a check-and-balance on the governor’s office and has referred to McGuire as an establishment choice. McGuire calls herself a policy wonk and defends her strong conservative voting record.

Also at the convention, delegates will nominate Attorney Todd Rokita for re-election. He is running unopposed.

The Indianapolis Star also reported Thursday that current Gov. Eric Holcomb will not attend this weekend’s convention.