JERSEY SHORE – A heat advisory and an air quality alert have been put out this weekend, as temperatures are expected to hit the upper 90s, but feel even hotter.
On Saturday, expect a high of 97, with 47% humidity and very little wind. On Sunday, there will be a high of 99, with 51% humidity, according to Weather.com.
However, the heat index will be even higher. Cameron Wunderlin, general forecaster for the National Weather Service, explained that the heat index is how it feels, and is a combination of factors like humidity and temperature.
“This weekend will be a lot worse in terms of heat index,” he said. It is expected to feel like 102 to 107, with the worst of it being on Sunday.
Both days have a UV Index of 9 out of 10, which, according to the World Health Organization, means that there is a high chance for skin and eye damage if you’re not protected. It is recommended that you avoid being outside during midday hours. Seek shade when you can, and wear a shirt, sunscreen and a hat.
The heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday for Ocean County and parts of Burlington. Being in these conditions for an extended period of time could cause illness or worse.
Experts recommend you drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
You should reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening; wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommended scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Saturday in Ocean, Monmouth, and other counties. This means that the concentration of air pollution will be dangerous for the elderly and those who have asthma, heart disease, lung disease and other sensitive health conditions.
Signs of heat stroke:
- High body temperature (103°F or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin
- Fast, strong pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Losing consciousness (passing out)
To treat heat stroke, call 911 right away because it is a life-threatening emergency. Move the person to a cooler place. Don’t give them something to drink. Instead, lower their temperature with cool cloths or a cool bath.
Signs of heat exhaustion:
- Heavy sweating
- Cold, pale, and clammy skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Tiredness or weakness
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Fainting (passing out)
To treat heat exhaustion, move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, sip water, and put cool, wet cloths on your body or take a cool bath. Get medical help right away if you are throwing up, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than 1 hour.
