Get ready to feel the heat for a while.
An extended heat wave is in the forecast for the region, AccuWeather forecasters say. The building heat will bring a prolonged stretch of 90-degree temperatures.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) defines a heat wave as “a period of unusually hot weather that typically lasts two or more days” and also notes that, in order to qualify as a heat wave, “temperatures have to be outside the historical averages for a given area.”
In the Northeast, meteorologists typically define a heat wave as at least three consecutive days on which high temperatures reach 90 F or greater.
Both New York City and Boston typically have about a week’s worth of days with highs of 90 or better by the middle of July. The Big Apple has been on track with this through July 17, but Beantown has tallied only two days of 90-degree weather so far. Washington, D.C., has picked up a dozen days with 90-degree heat as of July 17, which is a few below the average of 16.
While it may not seem easy to get cool when the heat bears down, there are steps to take to make sure the heat isn’t overwhelming, according to medicinenet.com.
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Alter your pattern of outdoor exercise to take advantage of cooler times (early morning or late evening). If you can’t change the time of your workout, scale it down by doing fewer minutes, walking instead or running, or decreasing your level of exertion.
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Wear loose-fitting clothing, preferably of a light color.
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Cotton clothing will keep you cooler than many synthetics.
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Fill a spray bottle with water and keep it in the refrigerator for a quick refreshing spray to your face after being outdoors.
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Fans can help circulate air and make you feel cooler even in an air-conditioned house.
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Try storing lotions or cosmetic toners in the refrigerator to use on hot, overtired feet.
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Keep plastic bottles of water in the freezer; grab one when you’re ready to go outside. As the ice melts, you’ll have a supply of cold water with you.
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Take frequent baths or showers with cool or tepid water.
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Combat dehydration by drinking plenty of water along with sports drinks or other sources of electrolytes.
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Some people swear by small, portable, battery-powered fans. At an outdoor event I even saw a version that attaches to a water bottle that sprays a cooling mist.
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If you’re wearing a cap or hat, remove it and pour a bit of ice cold water into the hat, then quickly invert it and place on your head.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol as these will promote dehydration.
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Instead of hot foods, try lighter summer fare including frequent small meals or snacks containing cold fruit or low fat dairy products. As an added benefit, you won’t have to cook next to a hot stove.
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If you don’t have air-conditioning, arrange to spend at least parts of the day in a shopping mall, public library, movie theater, or other public space that is cool. Many cities have cooling centers that are open to the public on sweltering days.
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Finally, use common sense. If the heat is intolerable, stay indoors when you can and avoid activities in direct sunlight or on hot asphalt surfaces. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, and anyone with a chronic illness, as they may dehydrate easily and be more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Don’t forget that pets also need protection from dehydration and heat-related illnesses too.
Source: Berkshire mont