Hot time ahead

MOSES LAKE — Sooner or later it had to happen – it’s going to get hot, that blast-furnace type of hot, with temperatures forecast to start climbing Wednesday.

Highs will be knocking on the door Wednesday, forecast to top out at about 98 degrees, said Laurie Nesbit, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office in Spokane. “It’s going to be hot, sorry to say.” Thursday’s high should hit the century mark, and the high for Friday is forecast at 103 degrees. The forecast, she said, calls for temperatures “cooling – cooling! – down to 97 (degrees)” Saturday.

“It’s going to be toasty,” Nesbit said. Of course hot dry weather is kind of to be expected right about now. “Summer is here – which usually happens around the Fourth of July.”

Fortunately this particular hot spell is supposed to be pretty short-lived. Temperatures should start dropping by Sunday. “The ridge that pops up that’s producing this heat is supposed to shift to the east,” taking the high temperatures with it to Montana, Nesbit said.

“The heat will not be prolonged – we will quote-unquote ‘cool’ into the 90s.” But the NWS models all are forecasting higher-than-normal temperatures throughout the next six to eight weeks, she said.

“Take all the normal precautions that you should” in hot weather, she said, and the Washington Department of Health has a list of those precautions on its website.

The DOH suggests staying indoors, and in an air-conditioned environment, if possible. It helps to cover windows that receive morning or afternoon sun – awnings and the right kind of window coverings can cut the heat.

“Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar,” said the DOH press release. The DOH suggests eating more frequently, but that meals should be balanced and light.

Babies should be dressed for the weather, and parents should avoid wrapping them in warm blankets.

“Check frequently on people who are elderly, ill or may need help. If you might need help, arrange to have family, friends or neighbors check in with you at least twice a day throughout warm weather periods.” People who take certain kinds of prescription drugs, including diuretics, antihistamines, mood-altering or antispasmodic drugs, should consult a physician about the effects of sun and heat exposure, the press release said.

Hot cars are bad, so neither people or pets should be left in a vehicle. Pets that stay outside should have plenty of fresh, clean water.

Activities should be restricted to early or late in the day. People who have to be outside should take frequent breaks and have water handy. Loose, light-colored clothes and a wide-brimmed hat are recommended for outdoor activities. People should avoid sunburn, since that interferes with the body’s ability to cool itself, the DOH release said. Sunscreen is recommended.

Dizziness, nausea, headaches and muscle cramps are early signs of heat illness. At the first sign of heat illness, the sufferer should move to a cool location, rest and slowly drink a cool beverage. If the symptoms persist the person should get medical treatment immediately, the press release said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.