Thurston County and much of Western Washington have a heat advisory that remains in effect from 8 a.m. Thursday until 11 p.m. Friday. Temperatures may range from the mid-80s to the mid-90s.
“Heat will significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses for those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling or adequate hydration,” according to the National Weather Service(NWS).
The NWS advises staying hydrated, staying in air conditioning, staying out of the sun, and checking on relatives and neighbors. It also advises not leaving pets or children unattended in cars “under any circumstances.”
For those going outside, schedule the more strenuous activities for the morning and evening.
“Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 911.”
To find information on sheltering and other human services in your area, dial 211 or visit wa211.org.
Thurston County received an alert for a Red Flag Warning, issued September 4 at 1:53 p.m., which is expected to run until Friday, September 6, at 11 p.m.
Low humidity, high temperatures, and gusty wind have created hot, dry, and unstable conditions.
The affected area of the Red Flag Warning is in the southern part of the county, in areas generally above 1500 feet in elevation.
Winds are expected at 10 to 15 miles per hour (MPH) with gusts up to 25 MPH. The Easterly winds are expected to pick up in the evening and the humidity is expected to drop lower at the same time. Dry and unstable conditions are expected to continue through Friday afternoon.
Wind, heat, and low humidity can contribute to easily and rapidly spreading fires, which could also diminish the air quality in the area.
“A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either imminent or occurring now. Any fires that develop will likely spread quickly. Outdoor burning is not recommended,” stated NWS Seattle.
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KatAshe
If you are unfortunate enough not to have an air conditioner, but do have a bathtub, fill it with cool water in the morning. If the heat starts to affect you, immerse yourself in the cool water for at least 10-15 minutes and it will bring your body temperature down.
I’m susceptible to heat stroke, and learned about doing this many years ago.
Wednesday, September 4 Report this
cappers
Thank you KatAshe for the tip about filling bathtub with cool water.
Thursday, September 5 Report this