Heat Advisory in Effect Today

Whatever you have planned to do outdoors today, better do it sooner than later. With temperatures expected to reach into the 90s today, the National Weather Service is issuing a heat advisory and warning residents to be careful.

We're not yet used to the heat this early in the season, so a second consecutive day of hot temperatures now can be hazardous to people prone to heat stress or others engaged in strenuous outdoor activity. 

Temperatures will to rise into the lower 90s during the afternoon and the "real feel" is expected to climb into the upper 90s by mid- to late afternoon.

The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible, the NWS says.

The best advice to avoid heat-related illness.

“Drink plenty of fluids, come in right away if you are not feeling well and do not overexert yourself,” said Dr. Jeffrey Ditkoff, an Emergency Center physician at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.

Early signs of heat-related illness are pretty nonspecific, Ditkoff said, such as nausea, vomiting, headache and general malaise. These are pretty general symptoms, but when there is a heat advisory, "We will be looking at these kinds of symptoms with with heat-related illness in the forefront of our minds," he said.

Signs of more severe heat illness include confusion, disorientation, loss of consciousness and seizure, he said.  

“The most susceptible are the very young, the very old and those with underlying illnesses, like cancer or kidney failure,” he said. “Most important is to be very well hydrated–before an activity, during and after. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can act as diuretics and worsen dehydration.”

There is no specific amount to drink, but Ditkoff said urine is a good indicator if someone might be dehydrated.

“If urine is dark, that’s a sign of dehydration," he said.  

Other tips: Stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun. Children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, of course. And it's a good idea to check on relatives and neighbors who might be negatively affected.

Take heart: Temperatures are expected to cool back down Wednesday into more seasonal mid-70s with westerly winds in the 20 mph range in the afternoon.