Heat Advisory In Effect As Temps Spike

Written by Lisa Finn. 

The heat wave that has blanketed the area with blistering temperatures continues to gain intensity — with a heat advisory in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday.

“It’s a little bit worse than yesterday,” Tim Morrin, meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Upton, said Thursday.

According to Morrin, acoss the area, temperatures had already reached 90 degrees by 10 a.m, with higher humidity.

The heat index — or, how hot it actually feels, based on the temperature and humidity — is higher, too, Morrin said.

In Westhampton Beach, the temperature at Gabreski Airport Wednesday morning was 93 degrees, with a heat index of 101 degrees. Humidity, he said, was already at 50 percent, high for the daytime hours.

An air quality alert is also in effect, meaning that the air quality level in outdoor air is high in ozone levels.

Officials are advising against strenuous outdoor activity, to reduce the risk of adverse health effects, especially in the very young, elderly, or those suffering from health issues such as asthma or heart disease.

Ozone, Morrin said, makes it harder for the body to get oxygen.  

The weather, Morrin said, will continue to worsen before getting better. “Friday looks similar,” he said. “If anything, it will be a little worse, especially with the humidity.”

The good news is that a cold front is expected to move through the area on Saturday and by Sunday temperatures will be back to seasonal norms in the low 80s.

In response to the heat, Southampton Town officials published safety tips and guidelines for keeping safe:

• Heat can be deadly. The people most at risk are the elderly, people with chronic physical health problems, and those taking medication.

• Be A Buddy. Check on family members and neighbors that are most at risk.

• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol dehydrates the body and can put you more at risk from suffering heat  exhaustion or heat stroke.

• Pale with cool, moist skin or hot, dry skin.

• Profuse sweating.

• Muscle cramps.

• Dizziness.

• Elevated body temperature of 100 degrees and increased pulse rate.

• Unconsciousness or abnormal mental status such as dizziness, confusion,hallucinations or coma.

• Flushed, hot, dry skin or cold clammy skin.

• Strenuous activities should be avoided done early in the morning or in the evening outside of peak heating hours.