This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah's continuing heat wave is not only miserable, but as the state closes out the week with temperatures in the 100s, it will be just plain dangerous.
From noon Thursday through 9 p.m. Friday, southwestern Utah was under an Excessive Heat Warning. Temperatures in Utah's Dixie were forecast to soar into the 110-113 degree range Thursday and again on Friday.
That's not just put-on-a-straw-hat-and-slather-on-the-sunscreen-lotion weather; the National Weather Service says this is the kind of heat that can sicken, even kill you.
The Salt Lake City airport reached 100 degrees on Thursday — the fourth consecutive day of 100-plus temperatures and the seventh of the last nine days.
"An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur," forecasters state. "The hot temperatures will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors."
Temperatures were only slightly less hellish in northern Utah. Along the Wasatch Front, highs Thursday and Friday were to reach or top 103 degrees. Saturday, too, will reach 103 in the Salt Lake and Tooele valleys before late-afternoon thunderstorms and showers arrive, providing a few degrees of relief at most.
The Utah Division of Air Quality gave only Box Elder, Cache and Washington counties "green," or healthy air quality grades, with the remainder of the state's monitoring stations rated "yellow," or compromised for particulate pollution levels.
The Intermountain Allergy & Asthma website reported that "mold" was high and chenopods were "moderate" on its pollen index as of Thursday.
For more extensive forecast information, visit The Salt Lake Tribune's weather page at: http//www.sltrib.com/weather/.
Twitter: @remims Steps to stay safe when it's hot outside •
HOT CARS CAN BE DEADLY: Never leave children or pets in your vehicle. The inside temperature of the car can quickly reach 120 degrees. Other heat safety steps include:
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
Avoid extreme temperature changes.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun's rays.
Slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.
Postpone outdoor games and activities.
Use a buddy system when working in excessive heat. Take frequent breaks if working outdoors.
Check on family, friends and neighbors who do not have air conditioning, who spend much of their time alone or who are more likely to be affected by the heat.
Check on animals frequently to ensure that they are not suffering from the heat. Make sure they have plenty of cool water.
If someone doesn't have air conditioning, they should choose places to go to for relief from the heat during the warmest part of the day (schools, libraries, theaters, malls).
HEAT EXHAUSTION: Excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. If someone is experiencing heat cramps in the legs or abdomen, get them to a cooler place, have them rest, lightly stretch the affected muscle, and replenish their fluids with a half a glass (about 4 ounces) of cool water every 15 minutes.
If someone is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion (cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness exhaustion), move them to a cooler place, remove or loosen tight clothing and spray the person with water or apply cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin. Fan the person. If they are conscious, give small amounts of cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Watch for changes in condition. If the person refuses water, vomits or begins to lose consciousness, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
HEAT STROKE LIFE-THREATENING: Signs include hot, red skin which may be dry or moist; changes in consciousness; vomiting and high body temperature. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately if someone shows signs of heat stroke. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the person's body by immersing them up to their neck in cold water if possible. Otherwise, douse or spray the person with cold water, or cover the person with cold, wet towels or bags of ice.
— Source: The American Red Cross