National

Heat Wave Spreading East; No Relief For Days

By Mark Memmott

Published July 20, 2011 at 8:20 AM PDT

This story was published more than 13 years ago.

Miniimah Rashid, 13, let the water from one of the fountains at the Windsor Village Spray Park in Indianapolis run over her face as temperatures rose Tuesday (July 19, 2011).

The deadly heat wave that has been making things miserable in much of the Midwest for several days has begun to spread east and the National Weather Service warns that things are going to be stifling:

"Temperatures in the mid-90s will be possible across the Mid-Atlantic states today. High temperatures will near 100 degrees tomorrow across much of the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the southeast. These triple-digit temperatures are forecast to remain in place across the eastern U.S. through Saturday before cooling off slightly to the mid-90s by Sunday."

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Meanwhile:

"Locations across the central and southern Plains and parts of the Midwest will not see much change from the extended period of heat."

About the only places that will be getting some relief:

"A cold front currently moving across Montana ... will significantly drop temperatures across the north central U.S. for the rest of the week."

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In Chicago, according to the Tribune, the heat index will be between 110 and 115 degrees today and "probably will not fall below 90 all night."

Bloomberg News says that "temperatures in New York, Philadelphia and Washington may feel as high as 110 degrees or more this week."

Even up in the usually cool Brattleboro, Vt., the local Reformer is reporting that "a massive heat wave that broke record temperatures in most of the Midwest is expected to hit the area in the next couple of days and officials are warning people to stay cool, avoid the heat and check in on neighbors." Folks there can also expect it to feel like the temperature's above 100 on Thursday and Friday.

These heat wave safety tips from the Weather Service are common sense, but also worth repeating:

-- Slow down.

-- Dress for summer.

-- Drink plenty of water.

-- Avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages.

-- Stay in air conditioned places as much as possible.

-- Stay out of the sun.

-- Don't take salt tablets "unless specified by a physician."

As we reported Tuesday, more than a dozen deaths have been attributed to the high temperatures.