Heat wave puts schools, sports and workers across U.S. on alert
A late-summer heat wave is affecting roughly 97 million people from the central Plains to the Southeast, with dangerous conditions expected in more than a dozen states through Wednesday, August 19, according to National Weather Service forecasts cited by The Associated Press.
Some locations could reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while high humidity may push heat indexes as high as 115 degrees in parts of the Southeast. Overnight lows are forecast to remain in the 70s in many places, limiting the body’s chance to recover before the next hot day.
Where the heat is concentrated
The most persistent heat is forecast across parts of the central and Southern Plains, the lower Mississippi Valley and the Southeast. Conditions will vary by location, so residents should check their local National Weather Service forecast and the CDC HeatRisk outlook for their ZIP code instead of relying only on a regional headline.
Local offices may issue heat advisories, excessive heat watches or excessive heat warnings depending on the expected intensity, timing and confidence of the threat. Those alerts are not interchangeable: residents should follow the instructions attached to the alert for their area and keep checking for updates.
Why warm nights matter
High daytime temperatures are only part of the danger. When overnight temperatures remain in the 70s or higher, homes and bodies may not cool down enough before the next hot day begins. That can increase cumulative heat stress, particularly for people without reliable air conditioning, older adults living alone and people with chronic medical conditions.
Schools and sports face early-season disruptions
The heat is arriving as schools reopen and fall sports begin. Districts may adjust recess, playground use, buses, classroom conditions and outdoor activities as local heat levels rise. Families should watch school messages and follow any indoor-activity or schedule changes rather than assuming a normal sports or school day.
In South Carolina, two school districts canceled a series of football scrimmages involving more than a dozen high schools because an extreme heat warning was in effect and dangerous conditions were forecast for Friday evening, The Associated Press reported.
The CDC advises athletes and coaches to schedule activity during cooler periods when possible, build in water and rest breaks, pace exertion, monitor teammates and stop activity when symptoms appear. Outdoor workers also need regular access to water, rest and shade, especially during the hottest parts of the day.
Who faces the greatest risk
Everyone can be affected by extreme heat, but young children, older adults, pregnant people, people with chronic medical conditions, people without air conditioning, athletes and outdoor workers face elevated risks. Some medications and health conditions can also make it harder for the body to regulate temperature.
Check on relatives, neighbors and friends who live alone. Libraries, community centers and senior centers may provide air-conditioned spaces or cooling resources, but availability varies by community. Local governments and public-health agencies may announce cooling centers as conditions worsen.
What to do now
- Use air conditioning when possible, or go to a cooling center or another air-conditioned public space.
- Drink water regularly and do not wait until you are thirsty.
- Limit strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day.
- Schedule exercise and outdoor work for cooler periods, and take regular water, rest and shade breaks.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing and follow workplace heat-safety procedures.
- Check on older adults, neighbors without air conditioning, pregnant people and people with chronic illnesses.
- Never leave a child, older adult, disabled person or pet in a parked vehicle.
Know the warning signs
Heat exhaustion can include heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, elevated body temperature and reduced urination. Move the person to a cooler place, remove unnecessary clothing, encourage frequent sips of cool water if the person is alert, and cool the skin with cold compresses or cool water. Seek medical evaluation if symptoms continue or worsen.
Heat stroke is an emergency. Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech, fainting, seizures, loss of consciousness, very high body temperature or hot skin are warning signs. Call 911, stay with the person, move them to a cool area, remove outer clothing and begin rapid cooling with cold water, wet cloths, ice or a cold-water bath if available. Do not wait for symptoms to resolve.
Forecasts and local alerts may change as the heat wave continues. Watch for updated National Weather Service advisories, school and sports decisions, workplace guidance and cooling-center announcements through August 19.
Sources
- Associated Press: Late summer U.S. heat wave arrives at start of school year
- National Weather Service: Heat Safety Tips and Resources
- CDC/NIOSH: Heat-related Illnesses
Look for updates to this story
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