Summer is on full blast in Oklahoma, and we’ve had some stifling hot days recently.
While the scorching heat didn’t stop hundreds of thousands from descending on downtown Oklahoma City for the Thunder’s championship parade, EMSA had responded to at least 100 heat-related illness calls by that afternoon, and had to take 24 people to the hospital.
That heat is expected to continue, despite expected showers and storms in parts of the state. Here’s what you need to know.
When will the heat subside in Oklahoma?
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, hot and muggy conditions are expected to continue into the middle of next week.
Heat index values could exceed triple digits this weekend, the weather service said.
While there could be a small relief as heat indices are forecasted to drop several degrees on July 1 and 2, the heat will return.
How hot is it in Oklahoma this weekend?
Kids play in a splash pad in Scissortail Park on June 24 as the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate the team’s first NBA title with a champions parade throughout downtown.
Here’s the forecasted temperatures and heat indices in Oklahoma this weekend:
City | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
Oklahoma City | 91°F (high), 96°F (heat index) | 93°F (high), 98°F (heat index) | 94°F (high), 100°F (heat index) |
Woodward | 93°F (high), 94°F (heat index) | 96°F (high), 96°F (heat index) | 95°F (high), 95°F (heat index) |
Lawton | 93°F (high), 97°F (heat index) | 96°F (high), 101°F (heat index) | 96°F (high), 102°F (heat index) |
How to prevent heat illness
While heat illness needs to be taken seriously, it is preventable.
If you know it’s going to get hot where you live, the Cleveland Clinic has some steps to prevent heat-related illness and death:
Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing
Stay hydrated at all times, active or not
Keep your home at a cool temperature using fans and/or air conditioning
Find a place to go during hot weather (like malls, libraries or community centers) if you can’t cool your home
Limit or avoid physical activity in the heat; if you can’t avoid it, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors
Take a cool shower after being in the heat
Talk with your health care provider about any additional risks you have, due to medical conditions or certain medications, for heat-related illness
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: When will we see a break from hot, muggy temperatures in Oklahoma?