Wednesday’s scattered storms will give way to extreme heat for the weekend

You may see scattered storms on Wednesday, but sunshine and warm temperatures are returning for the end of the week.

When will temperatures start to rise in Iowa?

Storm systems will begin to depart Iowa on Thursday morning, allowing some sunshine to come in, the National Weather Service’s Des Moines office wrote posted on social media.

Temperatures will begin to rise on Thursday, with highs across the state varying from 81 to 86 degrees, and 83 to 88 degrees on Friday. NWS warned outdoor conditions may be uncomfortable, as humidity will be high as well.

What’s the weekend heat index forecast in Des Moines?

The heat will push the heat index back into the 100s across Iowa through the weekend.

In Des Moines, the heat index forecast is 92 degrees on Friday, 99 on Saturday and as high as 104 degrees on Sunday.

Most of Iowa is expected to see a heat index in the high 90s to low triple digits throughout the weekend as temperatures rise.

How to stay safe during extreme heat in Iowa

The National Weather Service says that excessive heat can be taxing to the body and cause various heat-related illnesses. Here are tips from NWS on how to stay safe during a heat wave:

Outdoor Activities

• Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Those particularly vulnerable to heat such as children, infants, older adults, those with chronic medical conditions and those pregnant should stay in the coolest available place.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.

Eating and Drinking

• Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water, non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Cooling Down

• Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries.
• Use portable fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
• Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Take a cool bath or shower.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.