Dangerous heat and humidity swathe Central Illinois

[orleans]

BLOOMINGTON -- Stay cool and drink water.

That’s the message from health professionals and outdoor workers as Central Illinois begins day two of extreme heat and humidity.

“Keep well hydrated and stay out of the sun as much as possible,” advised Dr. Paul Pedersen, vice president and chief medical officer at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington.

The National Weather Service has a heat advisory in place for Central Illinois.

According to the weather service, temperatures in Central Illinois were in the 90s on Monday, but the heat index was more than 100 degrees. Heat index is what the weather conditions feel like when humidity is considered.

In Lincoln, for example, the heat index was 107 degrees at mid-afternoon.

The forecast for Bloomington-Normal for today is a high of 91 degrees with a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms. No heat index for today was included in the forecast.

Lincoln is expected to reach 92 degrees with a heat index of 100 degrees and a 40 percent chance of thunderstorms, the weather service said.

High temperatures are expected to get down into the upper 80s on Wednesday.

The heat isn’t anything to dismiss. Spending too much time in extreme heat can lead to the heat exhaustion, an illness, or heat stroke, which may be life-threatening.

Even some people accustomed to working outside were making concessions on Monday.

“We do a lot of rotating people in and out,” said Deanna Ginder, assistant manager of Grieder Garden Center, Bloomington. Garden center employees — who weed, water, unload deliveries, replace greenhouse tops and move around merchandise — work 45 minutes to one hour outside before they are brought inside to cool off.

Employees are urged to drink from a large water cooler and to use sunscreen left out on the cash register counter. Many workers wear hats and shorts.

Ginder herself tries to do sunny jobs in the morning before it gets too hot and work in the shade during the heat of midday.

“When I’m watering, I hose down my arms and legs to keep my body temperature down,” she said.

“Be aware of what you’re feeling,” she advised. “If you feel lightheaded, come inside, get a cold glass of water and cool off.”


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Beat the heat

Ways to keep cool during the extreme heat:

-- Stay out of the sun as much as possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

-- If you must be outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat, light-colored clothing and sunglasses; apply sunscreen; and stay in the shade as much as possible.

-- Drink a lot of water. Avoid alcohol.

-- Keep an eye on young children and older adults, who are less able to deal with extreme heat. Make sure they are safe, whether outside or inside.

-- Don’t leave children or pets in the car, even for just a few minutes.

-- Make sure pets are inside or have a shaded area outside and plenty of water.

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/08/04/news/doc4897b86086292301073654.txt

[Radical Activist]

1. Pretty normal weather for this time of year.