While many Americans along the Gulf Coast are bracing for torrential rain and a possible hurricane, millions of others are dreading the oppressive heat to come in the next few days.
More than 6.5 million people are under an excessive heat warning, including residents of Phoenix, according to the National Weather Service. Above normal temperatures in the Arizona capital could factor into heat indexes close to 120 degrees on Friday and Saturday, CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said.
On Wednesday the temperature alone was headed toward 110 degrees and Thursday will be hotter, the weather service said.
Heat wave building across SW Calif Thu-Mon with triple digit temps expected across warmest valleys, lower mountains, and Antelope Valley. Graphic below shows projected temps for Saturday which is expected to be hottest day for many areas. #LAheat #LAWeather #cawx #Socal pic.twitter.com/F5nAjq37P1
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 11, 2019
About 32.9 million people are under a heat advisory in states from Alabama to Texas, the weather service said.
Cities like Dallas, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, St Louis and Birmingham could be see 110 to 115 heat indexes, Hennen said.
Medical experts say it is important during heat waves to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.
Are you ready to feel the heat? An extended heat wave is expected Thu through Mon as high pressure builds over the region. Temps will peak on Sat, soaring into the 90s and even into the low 100s for the hottest valleys! Stay hydrated! #SoCal #CAwx #LAheat pic.twitter.com/LOPWVx3Dpa
— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) July 11, 2019
But don’t load up on sugary or alcoholic drinks because that would make you lose more body fluid. Don’t be tempted to gulp down cold water as that could cause stomach cramps, according to the CDC.
Make sure your beverage will also replace the salt and minerals you have lost due to sweating—sports drinks can do the job.
HEAT WARNING: Do you know the difference between heat stroke – a medical emergency – and heat exhaustion? Here’s a guide, with downloadable infographics: https://t.co/bNGHAsfUHd @NWS #HeatWave #Mississippi #MPBOnline pic.twitter.com/BU7Jw6r0f5
— MSPublicBroadcasting (@MPBOnline) July 11, 2019
Hottest Weather Since 2003 Slammed Western Europe Last Month
The sunset had an orange glow. So did the extreme weather warning for Paris.
Brutal 41C heatwave to fry European holiday hotspots as African plume hits https://t.co/5OSJOlKiLi
— The Sun (@TheSun) June 23, 2019
Meteorologists placed more than half of France, including around the capital, on alert for high temperatures on June 24, as a heatwave was expected to spread across continental Europe that week.
National weather agency Meteo France predicted the hot weather could produce temperatures of up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit across the country just as the summer tourist season shifts into high gear.
The French weather agency set the heat warning level at orange—the second-highest intensity on its four-level categorization system for potentially dangerous conditions requiring public “vigilance.”
Reuters contributed to this article.
