Watch the Heat

Today's Expected Highs

While tornadoes, hurricanes and winter storms always seem to be the big draw for most weather junkies, what many don’t realize is that heat is truly the #1 weather-related killer.

Today will mark the 5th consecutive day of 100+ degree temperatures and there are more the come this week. Even though the dewpoint is relatively low, the heat indices are still averaging 104-109 each afternoon. Get in the sun and it feels 10-15 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature.

This makes it just plain unsafe to be outdoors for more than a few hours without taking frequent breaks, preferably in the A/C.

Here is a great link to the National Weather Service website in Ft. Worth.  http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=heat3

There is lots of information about how the heat index is determined and ways to avoid heat related illnesses like heat exhaustion.

About 9 years ago I almost lost my husband to heatstroke…in November. He collapsed running the White Rock Half Marathon. A race he wasn’t physically ready for. It was a humid, fall day with highs in the 80′s. He was lucky, my family was lucky. He got help quickly and had a strong heart or he wouldn’t have survived.

While most of us are used to this heat by now, this is the kind that can kill even the healthiest person if not careful.

So take it easy….we still have a good 6-8 weeks of good ‘ol hot Texas weather before the winds of fall arrive. Don’t know about you, but I’m ready!