Brutal Heat This Weekend Breaks Record In Oklahoma City At 107; Latest On Hurricane Hilary

Oklahoma City reached a new record high of 107 degrees on Saturday, beating a record that stood since 1934 according to News 9 Meteorologist Justin Rudicel.

However, the big weather story nationally will be impacting the Sooner State, too.

Hurricane Hilary was a Category 3 storm Saturday morning but was downgraded to Category 2 by the U.S. National Hurricane Center in the afternoon.

The updated forecast for the storm headed to Mexico’s Baja California is predicting “catastrophic” flooding for the peninsula and the southwestern United States, meteorologists say.

AP reports that the storm is expected to produce “life-threatening” surf conditions and waves up to 40 feet along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

“Hilary appears to be weakening quickly,” John Cangialosi, a senior hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, wrote in a Saturday update posted online. “The eye is filling and the cloud tops in the eyewall and rainbands have been warming during the past several hours.”

Here’s its impact on Oklahoma: As the hurricane goes north, it will beeline toward a low-pressure system off the coast of California. That will enhance the jet stream in the Pacific Northwest, which will cause the ‘heat dome’ over the Southern Plains to move further north into the Great Plains, impacting the central United States and even the Midwest.

As for Oklahoma, the state’s hottest days will be the next two: Saturday and Sunday.

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How To Stay Safe In The Oklahoma Heat

EMSA medics in Oklahoma City and Tulsa respond to over 250 heat-related illness calls each summer. These calls can be from minor aches to cases of heat exhaustion severe as a person losing consciousness.

EMSA issues a Medical Heat Alert when there are five or more suspected heat-related illness calls in a 24-hour period, and the alert expires when there are less than 5 calls in a day.

For more heat safety information, click here.

What are some ways Oklahomans can stay cool ahead of the hot temperatures this summer?

Do not exercise intensely during the hottest times of the day and wear light loose-fitting clothing. Make sure to drink lots of liquids to replace the fluids you lose from sweating. To keep cool, spritz skin with water and block out windows with a blanket or sheet during the day. 

What are signs of heat exhaustion?

The Centers for Disease Control recommends adults watch out for signs of heat exhaustion which can be; heavy sweating, cold, pale, and clammy skin, a fast, weak pulse, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and fainting. If experiencing these symptoms people should drink water, move to a cooler area or take a cool bath. Lastly, medical attention should be sought out if symptoms last longer than an hour.

What are signs of a heat stroke?

The CDC defines heat stroke symptoms as– hot, red, dry or damp skin; a fast and strong pulse; a headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion and passing out. If someone is experiencing these symptoms, call 911 immediately, and try to move the person into the shade or a cooler area. Try to lower your body temperature by using cool clothes.

How to protect kids from heat exhaustion and heat stroke

Parents and caregivers should be aware of the dangers of heat exhaustion and heat stroke in young children and take precautions such as having them wear lightweight and light-colored clothing, use sunscreen, and stay hydrated. To keep cool, activities like playing in water or in the shade should be encouraged, and a spray bottle can help increase comfort. Children who are experiencing a heat stroke may also have a high fever or even seizures.

For more information about heat exhaustion and heat strokes from the CDC, click here.

How do I keep my pet safe from intense heat?

Pets are susceptible to dehydration and overheating in hot and humid weather. Owners should provide shady places for pets, limit exercise, and keep them indoors in extreme heat. Signs of overheating include excessive panting, increased heart and respiratory rates, drooling, weakness, stupor, seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit.

For more information on how to keep your pet safe, click here.

How to protect your skin from intense heat

Stay hydrated throughout the day and refuel your body with proper sleep. To protect your skin from damage, apply a water-resistant broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every 2 hours. Make sure to wear protective clothing, use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15, and avoid the sun between 10am and 4pm.

For skin safety tips, click here.

Cooling centers in Oklahoma City

Capitol Hill Library located at 327 southwest 27th Street, 405-634-6308, open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. till 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Warr Acres Library located at 5901 NW 63rd Street, 405-606-3521, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. till 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. till 6 p.m.

Rockwell Plaza YMCA located at 8300 Glade Avenue, 405-621 -5858,Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. till 9 p.m., Friday 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Earlywine Park YMCA located at 11801 S. May Avenue, 405-378-0402, Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. till 10 p.m., Friday 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Cooling centers in Tulsa

Expo Square located at 4145 E. 21st Street, 405-744-1113, seven days a week from 10 a.m. till 8 p.m.

John 3:16 Mission located at 506 N. Cheyenne Avenue, 918-587-1186, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and year round. 

Tulsa County Emergency Shelter 2401 Charles Page Boulevard, 918-896-5591, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and year round.