Hot as Hades

Goodness gracious it is hot in Owensboro!

I rode home from work today, and I kept expecting an inferno the size of a city block just around the corner. That would presume that a wave of fiery exhaust was spewing from something the fire department could at least contain. But, noooo, the heat I felt on the way home was nothing but the searing sun and heavy humidity - turning Owensboro into a kiln.

I think this is what walking the rim of a volcano feels like.

Weather predictions have the heat ranging in the mid 90's (low 100's) with the heat index for the rest of the weekend and well into next week.

Wyatt and I go outside for some play time most afternoons when I get home, but even those are becoming unbearable. Thankfully, there is some shade to protect us. I am still nervous that the grass (or worse, myself) might suffer instantaneous combustion.

Just to make sure you know I'm not lying ... here is the weather report from the National Weather Service:

...DANGEROUS AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES EXPECTED NEXT WEEK...

WIDESPREAD HEAT INDEX READINGS BETWEEN 100 TO 105 DEGREES ARE
EXPECTED TO OCCUR...BEGINNING OVER PARTS OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
AND SOUTHWEST ILLINOIS SUNDAY AFTERNOON...AND OVERSPREADING THE
REMAINDER OF THE QUAD STATE REGION EACH AFTERNOON THROUGH MOST OF
NEXT WEEK.

A LARGE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL BECOME ENTRENCHED ACROSS THE
REGION STARTING THIS WEEKEND AND EXTENDING THROUGH AT LEAST THE
MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD AND
LEAD TO SOME OF THE HOTTEST WEATHER SO FAR THIS SUMMER.

AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO RISE INTO THE MIDDLE
AND UPPER 90S....WITH DAYTIME RELATIVE HUMIDITIES EXPECTED TO
REMAIN AT OR ABOVE 50 PERCENT. THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND
HUMIDITY...AS WELL AS RELATIVELY LIGHT WINDS WILL PRODUCE HEAT
INDEX VALUES IN THE EXTREME CAUTION TO DANGER CATEGORY...WITH
READINGS RANGING FROM 100 TO 105 DEGREES.

HERE A FEW TIPS TO GUARD AGAINST THE UPCOMING HEAT WAVE...

STAY OUT OF THE SUN...WHEN POSSIBLE.

SLOW DOWN. ANY STRENUOUS ACTIVITY SHOULD BE REDUCED...ELIMINATED
OR RESCHEDULED TO THE COOLEST TIME OF THE DAY.

DRESS IN LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING THAT REFLECTS HEAT AND SUNLIGHT.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER OR OTHER NON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. BE SURE TO
DRINK FLUIDS...EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FEEL THIRSTY.

PERSONS WITH SPECIAL MEDICAL CONDITIONS SHOULD CHECK WITH THEIR
DOCTOR ON HOW TO DEAL WITH MEDICATIONS...FLUIDS AND DIET DURING HOT WEATHER.

THOSE ESPECIALLY SENSITIVE TO HEAT SHOULD SEEK SHELTER IN A COOL
PLACE. IF A COOL PLACE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE...CONTACT YOUR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT OR COMMUNITY AGENCY TO FIND AIR CONDITIONED
LOCATIONS TO STAY IN DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY.

IF YOU HAVE LIVESTOCK OR PETS...MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED
WITH PLENTY OF WATER AND SHADE...WHEN POSSIBLE.

FINALLY...TAKE TIME OUT TO CHECK ON THOSE NEIGHBORS OR FAMILY
MEMBERS THAT MAY BE PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO HEAT.