Temperatures peaking early this year says National Weather Service
Caitlin Doszkewycz
Issue date: 7/1/09 Section: News
Temperatures reached 98 degrees last week and combined with high humidity, reaching 100 percent in Edwardsville, making the outdoors stifling.
Jon Carney of the National Weather Service said while the temperatures in the area experienced last week were high, they were not unusual for the season.
"What is unusual is that we saw these temperatures so early," Carney said. "We didn't set a record highest temperature, but we did set a record for the warmest minimum temperature. This means that the expected low temperature was higher than normal."
The two record-breaking highest minimum temperatures occurred on June 22 and June 23, 2009, with lows recorded at 80 degrees and 79 degrees, respectively.
However, Carney said that the area would be getting some much-needed relief this week.
"This week will be comparatively mild with temperatures in the mid-80s and rising up to about 90 degrees at the end of the week. We think there may be some rain this holiday weekend," Carney said. "Other than that, temperatures look like they will stay in the upper 80s for a while, which is normal."
According to the NWS, heat is one of the two biggest weather hazards that occur during summer months, the other being lightning. Heat is the number one cause of weather related fatalities, according to the U.S. National Hazard Statistics, and last week was Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week.
While St. Louis is where the majority of heat related fatalities occur in our area, the Illinois side of the river is not immune. On June 23, Catherine Smith of Glen Carbon died in her home due to excessive heat, according to the Madison County Coroner's Office. Her body temperature had risen to 106 degrees, even though she had several fans in operation at the time. Smith was 61 and had some medical problems that contributed to her susceptibility to the heat.
The NWS states that people with medical problems and the elderly are at the highest risk to the heat, but everyone needs to take precautions.
"Mainly use common sense," Carney said. "Stay indoors in the air conditioning if possible. Don't overexert yourself and be sure to take breaks or stay in the shade. Baseball caps or hats will also help keep you cool. Drink water and try to avoid alcohol or caffeine, because they can dehydrate the body. Sports drinks or fruit juice are also good drink alternatives."
Food Service employee Connie Becerra deals with the heat mainly by swimming in her pool.
"We have an above ground pool and had the grandbabies over this weekend, so we pretty much just stayed in it. I also stay in the air conditioning and keep bottled water around," Becerra said. "Actually, here (in the food service court), it gets a little chilly, so we keep sweaters handy."
Student Aaron Bury also had some tips for avoiding the heat.
"I try to stay inside and drink more water," Bury said. "When I do go outside I ignore it; that's the biggest thing really is trying to just ignore it."
Jon Carney of the National Weather Service said while the temperatures in the area experienced last week were high, they were not unusual for the season.
"What is unusual is that we saw these temperatures so early," Carney said. "We didn't set a record highest temperature, but we did set a record for the warmest minimum temperature. This means that the expected low temperature was higher than normal."
The two record-breaking highest minimum temperatures occurred on June 22 and June 23, 2009, with lows recorded at 80 degrees and 79 degrees, respectively.
However, Carney said that the area would be getting some much-needed relief this week.
"This week will be comparatively mild with temperatures in the mid-80s and rising up to about 90 degrees at the end of the week. We think there may be some rain this holiday weekend," Carney said. "Other than that, temperatures look like they will stay in the upper 80s for a while, which is normal."
According to the NWS, heat is one of the two biggest weather hazards that occur during summer months, the other being lightning. Heat is the number one cause of weather related fatalities, according to the U.S. National Hazard Statistics, and last week was Missouri Summer Weather Safety Week.
While St. Louis is where the majority of heat related fatalities occur in our area, the Illinois side of the river is not immune. On June 23, Catherine Smith of Glen Carbon died in her home due to excessive heat, according to the Madison County Coroner's Office. Her body temperature had risen to 106 degrees, even though she had several fans in operation at the time. Smith was 61 and had some medical problems that contributed to her susceptibility to the heat.
The NWS states that people with medical problems and the elderly are at the highest risk to the heat, but everyone needs to take precautions.
"Mainly use common sense," Carney said. "Stay indoors in the air conditioning if possible. Don't overexert yourself and be sure to take breaks or stay in the shade. Baseball caps or hats will also help keep you cool. Drink water and try to avoid alcohol or caffeine, because they can dehydrate the body. Sports drinks or fruit juice are also good drink alternatives."
Food Service employee Connie Becerra deals with the heat mainly by swimming in her pool.
"We have an above ground pool and had the grandbabies over this weekend, so we pretty much just stayed in it. I also stay in the air conditioning and keep bottled water around," Becerra said. "Actually, here (in the food service court), it gets a little chilly, so we keep sweaters handy."
Student Aaron Bury also had some tips for avoiding the heat.
"I try to stay inside and drink more water," Bury said. "When I do go outside I ignore it; that's the biggest thing really is trying to just ignore it."
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