High Heat Expected Again This Week, Be Prepared!

June 21, 2016

The following is a re-post of a chart that was noted in an earlier version of TODAY @ Santa Fe. Although we have had some reprieve in the past couple of days, the heat will be high once more this week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a heat index chart parents and coaches can use to determine when heat and humidity have reached the point where athletes are at serious risk of heat illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

How to use Heat Index:

Locate on the chart above the current Air Temperature down left side
Locate the current Relative Humidity across the top
Follow across and down to find Apparent Temperature (what it feels like to the body)
Determine heat stress risk on chart below
Heat Illness Risk

Apparent Temperature Heat Stress Risk with Physical Activity and/or Prolonged Exposure
80° to 90° Exercise caution; dehydration likely if athlete fails to drink adequate fluids
91° to 103° Exercise extreme caution: Heat cramps or heat exhaustion possible
104° to 124° Danger: Exertional heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely, heatstroke possible
125° and up Extreme Danger: Exertional Heatstroke highly likely
A helpful iPhone application called iHydrateTM, calculates the heat index at your location and provides the heat illness risk. Remember to drink plenty of liquids as well. Stay safe!