ATLANTA — With temperatures rising into the mid-to-upper 90s and the heat index feeling even higher than that, there are concerns for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan said the dangerous heat will feel like 100+ degrees in parts of metro Atlanta Friday afternoon.

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“Our cooling system, basically the sweat that we have on hot day eventually evaporates into the air and cools us down, well it doesn’t work as efficiently on a day like today that is why heat stress and heat exhaustion is much more of a concern on a day like today,” Monahan said. “High humidity, less of that sweat evaporates, the body doesn’t cool as efficiently and that risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke is higher on a day like today.”

Symptoms of heat exhaustion:

• Heavy sweating
• Weak, rapid pulse
• Dizziness
• Muscle cramps
• Headache
• Nausea

Symptoms of heatstroke:

• High body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit
• Altered mental state or behavior
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flushed skin
• Rapid heart rate
• Headache

How to avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke:

• Stay hydrated; drink plenty of water
• Wear appropriate lightweight and loose-fitting clothing and hats during extreme heat
• Stay indoors in a cool area
• Limit outdoor activity and try to schedule outside events when it’s coolest in the morning and evening
• Cut down on exercise during the heat
• Wear sunscreen because sunburn affects your body’s ability to cool down
• Don’t leave children in cars, and keep your pets hydrated

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How to stay safe in extreme heat (NCD)

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