CLEVELAND — With the hottest day of summer (so far) on its way, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for several Northeast Ohio counties for Friday, July 28.
The advisory will currently be in effect from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. on Friday and has been called for the following counties:
- Ashland
- Ashtabula Inland
- Crawford
- Cuyahoga
- Erie
- Geauga
- Hancock
- Holmes
- Huron
- Knox
- Lorain
- Lucas
- Mahoning
- Marion
- Medina
- Morrow
- Ottawa
- Portage
- Richland
- Sandusky
- Seneca
- Stark
- Summit
- Trumbull
- Wayne
- Wood
- Wyandot
While temperatures are expected to hit the low-mid 90s, the heat index is expected to climb as high as 104 degrees. During this time, NWS advises that hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.
NWS also offers the following tips for combatting the heat:
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Stay in an air-conditioned room
- Stay out of the sun
- Check up on relatives and neighbors.
- Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
- If you work or spend time outside, take extra precautions
- Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening when possible
- Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke
- When possible, wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments to reduce risk when working outside
- Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location
- Anybody who is believed to be suffering from heat stroke should call 911
Also for Friday, the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the following counties:
- Ashtabula
- Cuyahoga
- Geauga
- Lake
- Lorain
- Medina
- Portage
- Summit
The advisory was activated because NOACA says air quality levels may be "unhealthy for sensitive groups" during this period.
So what does an Air Quality Alert mean for you?
Air quality levels will be unhealthy for sensitive groups during this period. If you are in the sensitive groups category of children, the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, please monitor your outdoor activity and check air quality readings at airnow.gov.
Other tips during an Air Quality Alert include:
- Don’t idle: Turn off your engine
- Refill your gas tank after sunset
- Wait to mow the lawn
- Drive less: bike, walk, use transit, work from home, combine trips
According to 3News Senior Meteorologist Matt Wintz, our temperatures will start to scale back with highs in the 80s Saturday. By Sunday, much lower humidity is expected.