Heat Advisory Continues Thursday in Gadsden; Friday Could Reach 98

The short answer: Heat Advisories continue for the Gadsden area Thursday, Aug. 13, and Friday, Aug. 14. The National Weather Service says heat index values across Central Alabama could reach 105 to 110 degrees. Thursday’s high is forecast near 95. Friday could reach 98, and the upper 90s are expected to hold into next week.

Update, Thursday, Aug. 13: The dangerous heat did not break overnight. The Weather Service office in Birmingham has advisories in effect for Thursday and Friday, and Friday is now forecast as the hottest day of the stretch. The Alabama Department of Public Health issued a statewide heat-safety warning Wednesday, saying heat illness is preventable but can turn life-threatening quickly. Thursday is the second day of school in Gadsden City and Etowah County, with football practice, marching band and afternoon dismissal all falling in the hottest hours.

GADSDEN, AL – The first day of school in Gadsden and Etowah County was also one of the hottest days of the year so far, and the heat is not a one day problem.

The National Weather Service office in Birmingham had a Heat Advisory in effect for the Gadsden area from 1 p.m. until 9 p.m. Wednesday, with heat index values reaching about 105 degrees. The heat index is what the air feels like on your skin when humidity is added to the actual temperature.

Wednesday’s high reached the low 90s. Thursday runs hotter, with a high forecast near 95 and an isolated afternoon thunderstorm possible. Thursday night falls only to about 72.

How long will the heat last?

Longer than this week. The Weather Service in Birmingham has flagged a major to extreme heat risk with heat index values in the range of 105 to 110 degrees daily through the weekend, and additional Heat Advisories are expected during that stretch.

Friday is the peak so far, with a forecast high near 98. Saturday through Tuesday are all forecast in the upper 90s, with overnight lows in the low 70s.

Advisories are issued day by day, so the formal alert for any given afternoon may not post until that morning. GadsdenThrive will continue updating this story as new advisories are issued.

Why does the timing matter for schools?

The advisory window lines up almost exactly with the school day’s back half. Classes started Wednesday for both Gadsden City Schools and Etowah County Schools. Afternoon dismissal, outdoor physical education, football practice and band practice all fall inside the hottest part of the afternoon.

Students waiting at bus stops in the afternoon are outside during the hottest hours. So are athletes and band members who practice after the final bell.

Football players carry an added burden, because helmets and pads make it harder for the body to shed heat. Marching band members face similar risk during long rehearsals, particularly on asphalt or artificial turf.

Etowah County officials have said all regular route buses are air conditioned, though some substitute buses may not be.

Parents may want to send an extra water bottle and check with coaches and directors about practice plans for the rest of the week.

What are the warning signs of heat illness?

Heat exhaustion usually comes first. Watch for heavy sweating, cold and clammy skin, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, nausea and unusual tiredness. Someone showing those signs needs to get into a cool place, loosen tight clothing, sip water and rest.

Heat stroke is a medical emergency. The signs are different and more serious. Body temperature climbs fast, the skin may turn hot and dry or red, the pulse races, and the person may become confused or pass out. Call 911. Move the person somewhere cool and try to lower their temperature with cool cloths while help is on the way. Do not give a person who is confused or unconscious anything to drink.

How do you stay safe during several hot days in a row?

Back to back hot days are harder on the body than a single hot afternoon. Heat builds up, and nights that stay in the low 70s give people less recovery time. That is why forecasters treat a multi day stretch as more dangerous than one bad afternoon.

A few simple steps help:

• Drink water through the day, before you feel thirsty.
• Move hard outdoor work and exercise to early morning or evening.
• Take breaks in the shade or in air conditioning.
• Wear light colored, loose clothing.
• Never leave children or pets in a parked car, even for a minute.
• Check on older neighbors and anyone without air conditioning.

Anyone with outdoor plans should build the heat into the schedule. Southside’s Taste of the Town food truck festival runs from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Southside City Hall, and heat index values are expected to stay high into the evening. Free Dumpster Day in Gadsden is set for Saturday, Aug. 15, and that is outdoor work during the hottest part of the year.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Heat Advisory? It is issued when the heat index is expected to reach a level that can cause heat illness in people who are exposed to it or working outside. It is a step below an Excessive Heat Warning.

Is an advisory in effect Thursday? Yes. Advisories cover Thursday and Friday, with heat index values of 105 to 110 possible across Central Alabama.

What is the hottest day this week? Friday, with a forecast high near 98.

Will it rain? An isolated afternoon storm is possible. Rain will not end the heat.

Read more Gadsden and Etowah County news from GadsdenThrive.