Heat watches, advisories issued for Delaware. How hot will it get?

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for New Castle County and a heat advisory for the remainder of the state.

The watch and advisory are in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.

The forecast for Wednesday is calling for dangerously hot conditions, with heat index values up to 106 degrees possible.

Here’s the Delaware county-by-county forecast for Wednesday:

New Castle County: Highs will be around 99 degrees, with heat index values reaching 106.

Kent County: Highs are expected to reach 100 degrees, with heat index values reaching 108.

Sussex County: Highs will reach 98 degrees, with heat index values around 104.

Delaware beaches: The beaches are not under the watch. Highs will reach 91 degrees.

There is good news for the First State — this is not a heat wave, but rather a one-day issue. Temperatures on Thursday will drop back into the mid-90s throughout the state.

During the last week of June and the first week of July, Delaware was stuck under a heat dome with days of record-breaking heat.

What is a heat advisory?

There are three advisories for heat, according to the National Weather Service:

• Heat advisory: A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. Consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening.
• Extreme heat watch: The watch issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing are still uncertain. Plan to suspend all major outdoor activities if a warning is issued. If you do not have air conditioning, locate the nearest cooling shelter or discuss staying with nearby family or friends who have air conditioning.
• Extreme heat warning: The warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring. Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors. 

What are heat-related illnesses?

During extremely hot and humid weather, the body is challenged to cool itself. When the body struggles too much, several heat-related illnesses can occur. According to the National Weather Service, here’s what to watch for:

• Heat cramps: Heat cramps are the first sign of heat-related illnesses. The symptoms include muscle cramps and spasms typically in the legs or abdomen. You should apply pressure on the cramping muscle or gently massage the muscle. The person should also try to sip water unless they are nauseous. If the cramps last more than an hour, the person should seek medical attention.
• Heat exhaustion: A person who has heat exhaustion will sweat heavily, be tired, cool and clammy, have a weak, fast pulse, have muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, headaches and may faint. Move the person to a cool area, loosen clothes and apply cool wet clothes or have the person sit in a bath. Offer water. If a person vomits more than once or symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention.
• Heat stroke: The symptoms of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees, a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, fainting or a loss of consciousness. Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately.

Who is most vulnerable in the heat?

According to the National Weather Service, heat is among the leading weather-related killers. These are the groups most impacted by high temperatures:

• Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
• Older adults, particularly those with preexisting diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility and are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
• People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have serious health problems during a heat wave than healthy people.
• Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.

How to stay safe in the heat

While you should remain in an air-conditioned room during the heat wave, if you do go outside you should do the following:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Cancel outdoor activities.
• Stay in an air-conditioned place, including overnight.
• Check on your neighbors.
• Avoid high-protein foods, including meat. Eating these can increase your body’s heat production.
• Avoid getting too much sun. Sunburns make it harder for your body to cool off.
• Be very careful in cars. Cars heat up extremely fast. Never remain in a parked vehicle with the windows closed, and always be wary of hot metal objects both inside the vehicle (such as seat belt buckles) and outside the car.