EXCESSIVE HEAT EXPECTED ACROSS SOUTHEAST TEXAS

LIBERTY, August 13, 2010 - A STRENGTHENING UPPER LEVEL RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL RESULT IN SOME OF THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES OF THE SEASON SO FAR OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH 100 TO 102 DEGREES OVER THE NORTHERN COUNTIES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS...THE UPPER 90S IN THE HOUSTON METRO AREA...AND MID 90S ALONG THE COAST. OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL PROVIDE LITTLE RELIEF...WITH MINIMUM TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO RANGE IN THE UPPER 70S AND LOWER 80S. LITTLE CHANGE IN TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED THROUGH TUESDAY.

THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL RESULT IN MAXIMUM HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 106 TO 112 DEGREES EACH AFTERNOON SATURDAY THROUGH TUESDAY.

HEAT KILLS. CHILDREN AND PETS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE DURING HOT WEATHER WHEN CAR INTERIORS CAN REACH LETHAL TEMPERATURES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

IF YOU PLAN TO BE OUTSIDE...AVOID PROLONGED EXPOSURE OR STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. YOUR BODY CAN LOSE UP TO A GALLON OF WATER AN HOUR THROUGH PERSPIRATION. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS TO AVOID DEHYDRATION. ALCOHOLIC AND CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES CAN INCREASE THE RATE OF WATER LOSS IN YOUR BODY...INCREASING THE RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR STROKE. WEAR LIGHTWEIGHT...LIGHT-COLORED...LOOSE- FITTING CLOTHING. WEAR A HAT TO SHIELD YOURSELF FROM THE SUN...AND USE A SUNSCREEN TO REDUCE POSSIBLE SUNBURN.

EFFECTS CAN BE MINIMIZED BY REDUCING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES...DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES...AND WEARING LIGHT- COLORED CLOTHING. IF POSSIBLE...SPEND TIME IN AIR CONDITIONED FACILITIES.