Excessive Heat Warnings Now Issued In These 12 Minnesota Counties
For those who thought summer weather was behind us and were already in a pumpkin spice frame of mind, the start of this week served as a great reminder that summer is still very much here.
Throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, the story of the day Monday was the hot weather, especially for those who are spending a lot of time outdoors.
If you're going to the Minnesota State Fair early this week, drink plenty of fluids or you might not have a favorable time at the Great Minnesota Sweat Together.
Kidding aside, there are several areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin where the hot weather should be taken seriously, and the National Weather has issued official Excessive Heat Warnings.
Excessive Heat Warnings Exist In These 12 Minnesota Counties
During the afternoon of Monday, August 26, Excessive Heat Warnings were issued throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, including the following counties:
- Hennepin
- Anoka
- Ramsey
- Washington
- Sibley
- Carver
- Scott-Dakota
- Redwood
- Brown
- Nicollet
- Le Sueur
- Blue Earth
This includes the cities of St Peter, St Paul, Le Sueur, Victoria, Hastings, New Ulm, Chaska, Blaine, Shakopee, Mankato, Chanhassen, Redwood Falls, Gaylord, Minneapolis, and Stillwater.
Excessive Heat Warning Details:
- WHAT: Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 107 in the Twin Cities metro and up to 112 across south central Minnesota.
- WHERE: Portions of central, east-central, south-central, and southwest Minnesota.
- WHEN: Until 8:00 p.m. Monday
- IMPACTS: Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events.
Preparedness Actions
The National Weather Service advises everyone to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Also, never leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles. Car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.
To reduce health risks during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
Lastly, anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency and anyone with the following heat stroke symptoms should call 911:
- High body temperature (103°F or higher)
- Hot, red, dry, or damp skin.
- Fast, strong pulse.
- Headache.
- Dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Confusion.
- Losing consciousness (passing out)
People throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin should prepare for another hot one tomorrow, the National Weather Service already issuing Excessive Heat Warnings for Tuesday in parts of the region.
LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state
Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi