Northeast Ohio's heat wave continues this week
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It is the first week of summer and with it comes a major heat wave.
Why it matters: Extreme heat is the top weather-related cause of death in the U.S. It's especially dangerous for older adults, children and people with chronic medical conditions.
- The first scorcher of the year is typically the most jarring, as our bodies aren't yet acclimated to the high temperatures — that's especially relevant this year, following an unusually cool, rainy spring.
State of play: An unseasonably hot air mass formed over the Midwest and East Coast this past weekend, creating a heat dome and pushing temperatures into the mid-90s.
- Heat index values — or "feels like" temperatures — are expected to exceed 100 degrees in Cleveland over the next few days.
Threat level: The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch in Northeast Ohio counties through tomorrow evening.
- "Consecutive days of excessive heat and humidity combined with little relief overnight due to very warm low temperatures can be especially hazardous," according to the NWS. "The heat may continue into Wednesday."
Flashback: We've reported this summer has a 33% chance of being hotter than average in most of Ohio, according to the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center.
By the numbers: The heat wave could approach or surpass Cleveland's daily records of 94 for Monday and 96 for Tuesday.
- However, Wednesday's record high of 104 (set in 1988) appears highly unlikely.
The bottom line: Temperatures are expected to drop a bit in the latter half of the week but will remain high.
- Cleveland Clinic offers several tips for preventing heat exhaustion, including staying hydrated, limiting physical activity and wearing "loose-fitting or vented clothes."