The National Weather Service is issuing a warning for the Midwest and eastern United States of a massive heat wave setting up with potential heat index values of 110F or more in some places.
The warning, located here, states:
The stage is being set for a massive heat wave to develop into next week as a large area of high pressure is anticipated to circulate hot and humid air over much of the central and eastern U.S. Maximum heat index values of at least 100°F are likely across much of this area by the middle of next week, with heat index values in excess of 110°F possible over portions of these areas.
Being from the east coast I remember these heat waves and don't miss them one bit. I'm up in the northwest now and yes our weather sucks in the winter, unless you like endless days of gray and pervasive amounts of moisture leading to moss growing between your toes, but the summers of hot and humid weather I gladly left behind. Call me particularly averse to humidity.
Those of you in the area for which the warning is issued please consider the elderly and those with limited mobility and lack of cooling systems. It's during these times our most vulnerable need our help to stay cool and hydrated.
Now is the time to prepare. Providing fans to those in need, ensuring those you know, your neighbors, etc. who are elderly have adequate access to cool water and a means to avoid the most extreme temperatures (even just checking on them to make sure they're okay) goes a long way to avoiding heat related deaths.
Those in the Midwest can expect this high pressure system's conditions to begin to develop as early as this weekend. Here is the urgent warning issued out of the Sioux Falls SD. National Weather Service office.
I feel for you out there, just as I'm sure you feel for me during the 10 months of winter here. :)
Let's hope it doesn't shape up to be as bad as they think, but plan for the worst.
2:32 PM PT: Here's a good recommendation from cassandracarolina that I forgot about. My apologies to all the pooties and woozles out there:
"Also: please look after pets and ensure that they have shelter from the heat/sun, access to water, and ways to keep cool (water sprinkler, garden hose, kiddie pool, etc.) or access to air-conditioned spaces."