Heat-related advisories were in place across four states on Friday, July 4, with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning of “dangerously hot conditions” in some areas.
Why It Matters
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that extreme heat can lead to heat-related illnesses, especially in older adults, young children, and individuals with chronic medical conditions.
Symptoms may include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness and nausea. The agency reports that more than 700 people die annually in the U.S. due to extreme heat.
Rising temperatures can also worsen ground-level ozone, adding to health risks.
What To Know
An extreme heat warning, which the NWS issues when “extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring,” was in effect for northeast Minnesota, including Crow Wing, Aitkin, Pine, Koochiching, Cass, Itasca, Carlton and Saint Louis counties.
The warning also covered the northwestern Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Sawyer, and Washburn counties.
Heat index values, which reflect how hot it feels to the human body when both humidity and air temperature are considered, between 95 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit were possible in these regions, the NWS said.
“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” it advised.
Meanwhile, less severe heat advisories were in place across parts of North Dakota and Alaska, as well as Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Northeast and southeast portions of North Dakota could see heat index values up to 101, the NWS said.
It advised residents in affected areas to wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
In Alaska, heat advisories covered parts of the state’s interior, northern and northwest areas.
The NWS expected hot temperatures ranging from 75 to 90 across the affected areas. “Individuals not accustomed to these unusually hot temperatures for this region may experience heat-related illnesses,” it warned.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service forecast office, Duluth, Minnesota, said on X, Thursday: “A Heat Advisory is in effect Friday for all areas except the North Shore when very warm temperatures in the mid-80s to low 90s F and dewpoints in the upper-60s to low-70s F will create Heat Index values in the low to upper-90s.”
NWS Grand Forks, North Dakota, said on X, Thursday: “Heat and humidity will combine to create heat impacts Friday afternoon. Apparent temperatures will rise to over 100 degrees in spots. Impacts will be highest for those out in direct sunlight. Make sure to stay hydrated and move to a cooler area if needed.”
What Happens Next
At the time of writing, the extreme heat warning for Minnesota and Wisconsin was in effect until 8 p.m. CDT.
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