I was lucky enough to be Grand Marshall, along with Beeper from the Mr. Cartoon days, at the Pt. Pleasant Sternwheel Regatta Parade on July 3rd.  A couple thousand people lined Main Street to see the parade.  Most people stayed on the shaded side of the street because it was hot in the sunshine!  Thanks to everyone who came out, I met a lot of nice people.  Thank you to Jacob Hill for inviting me and to Lisa Goodman for sending me the photo above.

On to the heat wave ahead...

A true, old fashioned heat wave can be expected this week!  Many areas will experience afternoon high temperatures in the low to mid 90s with the heat index (the feels like temperature) of 100-105 degrees.

Here in the Tri-State to have heat wave, we have to have at least 3 days of at least 90 degree temperatures in a row.

A heat wave is most dangerous when the overnight low temperature stays in the 70s or 80s and especially if you don't have air conditioning.

One of the worst heat waves in U.S. history happened 15 years ago this month in Chicago.  More than 700 people died during that extreme heat wave.  Several days of 95+ degree heat and the heat index of more than 105 degrees with overnight lows in the 80s.  Many of the people who lost their lives in the heat wave were elderly without air conditioning, living in high-rise apartment buildings.  Remember, heat rises so in many of those places the heat was even more oppressive.

Some tips to stay cool include:

• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
  
• Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
  
• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy.
  
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you do not feel thirsty. Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat's effects on your body worse.
  
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
• Don't forget the pets, make sure they have shade and water!

By the way, sometimes a hot summer leads to a snowy winter.  1993 and 1995 were hot summers then we had a bad winter.  Also more recently 2002 was hot and the following winter was also harsh.  Time will tell...

One of my favorite things to do during a heat wave is during a lot of lemonade and sweet ice tea!

Let me know you thoughts on summer.  Is it your favorite month?  What do you enjoy or dislike most about summer?  Post your comments below.

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