It’s going to be hot and humid throughout the region in the coming days. The only comfort might be in the thought that conditions in Western Pennsylvania won’t be as bad as those in some other parts of the country.
Dangerous heat will build across the northeastern part of the nation and continue to grip much of the Central states Saturday. Dry weather and sunshine will accompany the sweltering conditions from the mid-Mississippi Valley to the mid-Atlantic and southeastern New England. Many areas — including Pittsburgh — can expect highs in the 90s as we head into the July 4 holiday.
Public health and safety officials are reminding people to protect themselves and others — including pets — from the dangers of heat-related illness. Senior centers throughout Allegheny County are open for adults over 60 to find respite and the city of Pittsburgh has opened cooling centers in Southside and Brookline.
“We don’t get a lot of stretches like this in Pittsburgh, where temperatures are high and the humidity’s high, heading into the holiday weekend,” said Richard J. Wadas, emergency medicine specialist at UPMC. And yes, it is the humidity, he said.
“The primary way your body deals with the heat is sweat. The harder it is for the sweat to evaporate, the harder it is for your body to control its internal temperature.” Light, loose-fitting clothing allows the sweat to evaporate and replacing the fluid that’s lost to sweat is key, he said.
The Accuweather forecast for the Pittsburgh region from the weekend through July 4 calls for highs in the 90s and lots of sunshine and humidity, with the exception of some thunderstorms predicted for Monday.
With big events like the Luke Bryan concert Saturday at Heinz Field, Dr. Wadas emphasized the importance of taking breaks out of the sun and drinking lots of water.
“If people don’t have to be outdoors in the hottest part of the day, we tell them to avoid it. If they do go out, they should take frequent breaks from the heat and stay well hydrated with water and sports drinks.” Sugary drinks and those with caffeine just speed up the process of dehydration, Dr. Wadas said.
If alcohol is part of the plan, he said, “We stress moderation is best. … What we’d like to see people do is keep up with other fluids for hydration. You can get into trouble with alcohol.” At the very least, he said, people should alternate alcoholic beverages with water or a sports drink.
He said people who aren’t accustomed to high temperatures and humidity need to have a way to get relief. “They should go into the shade or air conditioning, even for 30 minutes, so that they don’t suffer the consequences of being in the heat for some time.” Wearing sunscreen and a hat can protect against sunburn, which can also affect a person’s ability to handle hot weather, he said.
The forecast for Saturday is a high of 93 degrees, low of 71 degrees and sunshine. For the rest of the holiday stretch: Sunday high 95, low 74 and mostly sunny, hot and humid; Monday high 95, low 73 and 42 percent chance of rain; Tuesday high 94, low 74 and hot with clouds and sunshine (expected to feel like 103 degrees); Wednesday high 90, low 72 and partly sunny with 25 percent chance of rain.
The heat also brings with it the probability of more Air Quality Action Days over the weekend and early next week, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection report on the website airnow.gov. Ozone levels were high Friday, and the action day warning advises people to cut back on heavy outdoor exertion, particularly active children and adults and people with lung disease, such as asthma.
Pittsburgh and Allegheny emergency, health and human services Friday issued information to help residents prepare for the extreme heat.
Stocking up on food, water and medicines and doing things to make a home cooler are all advised. Being ready for power outages with a charged phone, battery-operated radio and knowing signs of heat-related illness are part of good safety practice, they said.
Taking cool showers and staying out of the sun during the late-afternoon hours when temperatures are at their highest are among other heat-coping strategies.
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion can result in muscle pains or spasms, heavy sweating, paleness, weakness, dizziness, headache or fainting. If moving to a cooler place, loosening clothing and drinking a cool sports drink don’t relieve symptoms after an hour, medical help is recommended.
People most at risk of heat-related illness include those over 65, people with medical conditions or taking medicine that may affect their body’s reaction to heat, people with disabilities, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, babies and young children, those who are overweight or obese, individuals who work or exercise outdoors and residents who have recently moved here from cooler climates.
Dr. Wadas said the most severe form of heat illness is heat stroke. He said there are clues a person has heat stroke:
“Are they acting appropriately? Are they responding appropriately to the environment? Are they confused? Do they seem like they are delusional? Are they not able to keep themselves awake?” If the answer is yes, it may be an emergency and they need medical attention, Dr. Wadas said.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services Office of Area Agency on Aging and its contractors keep in contact with frail, isolated and high-risk older adults who are registered for care management with AAA. Other elderly residents should be checked on by neighbors, friends or relatives. They can be offered water, checked for signs of distress and if their homes are cooled with air conditioning or fans.
“It’s more important for people to check on them; make sure they’re staying out of the elements, staying hydrated. They’re our more vulnerable population,” Dr. Wadas said.
It’s not too much to remind people that children and pets should never be left alone in a hot vehicle, even with windows rolled down. In addition, it is against the law to leave dogs outside for more than 30 minutes when the temperature is above 90 degrees.
Allegheny County residents age 60 and older may get away from the heat and participate in activities at county-funded senior centers. http://www.alleghenycounty.us/Human-Services/Programs-Services/Older-Adults/Senior-Centers.aspx.
In Pittsburgh, two Citiparks facilities will serve as cooling centers this weekend. Saturday, the Southside Market HAL Center at Bedford Square and 12th Street will be open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the Brookline Recreation Center, 1400 Oakridge St., from 8 a.m. to noon. On Sunday, the Southside center will be open noon to 4 p.m. The city’s outdoor swimming pools will be open from 1 to 5:45 p.m. Spray parks are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jill Daly: jdaly@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1596.
First Published: June 30, 2018, 2:14 a.m.
