Amarillo Faces Week Of Triple-Digit Heat: Here’s How To Prepare

Well, summer has been teasing us here in Amarillo for a bit, but now it's about to hit us square between the eyes. The temperatures have been in the mid-90's for a while, but this week? Yeah, it's about to turn a corner.

If you aren't ready for it mentally, start preparing because we're looking at 100+ degree temps for at least the next week. You read that right, at least seven days of temperatures predicted to be at 100 degrees or above. So, how do you prepare for something like that? Let me help you.

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Heat-Related Facts

So, before we dig into how to stay safe in the heat, there are a couple of things we should chat about. Heat is the number one weather-related killer. Yes, greater than floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc. Heat exhaustion is real, and if it goes untreated, it can lead to heat stroke, and that can be deadly.

Next, pay attention to the heat index. It's how meteorologists figure out that fancy "feels like" temperature. The feels like is what your body will react to, so it's an important number. For example, if the temperature is 100 degrees and the humidity is sitting at just 40%, it'll feel like 109 degrees, and that puts you in the danger category.

How To Stay Safe During Heat Waves

There are several things you can do to keep your body temperature regulated and keep yourself safe from heat-related illness. The obvious one is staying inside and enjoying your air conditioning. Here's your chance to be lazy and have a reason for it. Drinking more water than usual is imperative, especially if you're going to be outside for any sort of extended period.

If you do go outside, be sure to wear loose, lightweight clothing. It helps the air get through and keeps your core temperature down. If you're exercising or doing something strenuous outdoors, take frequent breaks. When you are finished and get home, take a cool shower or bath to bring your body temperature down.

One final thing that is recommended, and this may be the hardest, is to avoid using the oven or stove if possible. The heat it generates inside your home can make it tougher to keep the house cool, especially if you have a home with a lot of windows.