...NEAR RECORD HEAT CONTINUES THIS MEMORIAL DAY ...
THE HOT MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND CONTINUES ...WITH RECORD OR NEAR RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 90S THROUGHOUT THE HEARTLAND. ALREADY THE MERCURY HAS HIT A RECORD 93 DEGREES AT THE BARKLEY REGIONAL AIRPORT IN PADUCAH. THIS ECLIPSES THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 92 DEGREES ...WHICH WAS SET IN 1944 ...JUST BEFORE THE FAMOUS ALLIED INVASION OF NORMANDY.
IRONICALLY ...DUE TO THE HUMIDITY ...HEAT INDEX VALUES SHOULD STAY CLOSE TO THE ACTUAL AIR TEMPERATURES ...GENERALLY RANGING IN THE MID TO UPPER 90S. THIS IS STILL THE HOTTEST WEATHER WE HAVE HAD SINCE SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR ...AND ESPECIALLY UNDER NEAR FULL SUNSHINE ...WILL POSE A DANGER TO THOSE PARTICIPATING IN OUTDOOR GAMES ...FUN ...AND HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES.
FOLLOW THE BASIC RULES OF HEAT SAFETY TO KEEP FROM BECOMING OVERHEATED AND DEHYDRATED. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER ...WEAR LIGHT COLORED ...LIGHT WEIGHT CLOTHING ...AND AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS AND BE SURE TO PUT ON A HIGH SUNSCREEN PROTECTION FACTOR SUNSCREEN TO LIMIT THE POTENTIAL FOR SUNBURN. MAKE SURE PETS HAVE PLENTY OF FRESH WATER.
IN ADDITION ...WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN PLACE ...THE RISK OF WILDFIRES REMAINS SOMEWHAT ELEVATED. EXERCISE CAUTION WITH ANY OUTDOOR BURNING.