Heat advisory issued for Houston area Wednesday

  

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A heat advisory is in effect from noon Wednesday until 8pm for heat indices at or above 108 degrees. The advisory is in effect for our entire area, including Houston and Galveston.

The Eyewitness Weather team has forecast a high temperature of 102 degrees Wednesday. ABC13 Meteorologist Travis Herzog says temps are hot, but not nearly as hot as Tuesday, so far running about six degrees lower than 24 hours ago. At the current rate of warming, Herzog says the temperature might peak just shy of the forecast high of 102.

Assuming our area does hit 100 degrees Wednesday, Herzog says this might be our last 100 degree day of the week as southeasterly winds draw in warm, humid air from the Gulf, replacing the hot, dry air that blew in from the north.

Herzog adds that the heat advisory will not likely be extended much beyond Wednesday, if at all.

On Thursday, we'll see a heat index near the cut-off point of 105 degrees. It takes a predicted heat index below 105 degrees to drop the heat advisory once it has been issued.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest.

The National Weather Service declares a Heat Emergency when the heat index, a computation of the air temperature and humidity, reaches 108 degrees on two or more consecutive days. A heat index of 108 is a potential health threat for all people and is particularly dangerous for high-risk groups.

To prevent heat-related illnesses:

• Increase water consumption. Drink lots of liquids even before getting thirsty, but avoid those with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar because these can actually result in the loss of body fluid.
• Conduct outdoor work or exercise in the early morning or evening when it is cooler. Outdoor workers should drink plenty of water or electrolyte-replacement beverages and take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned facility. People unaccustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment need to start slowly and gradually increase heat exposure over several weeks.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing that permits the evaporation of perspiration.
• Do not leave children, senior citizens or pets unattended in a vehicle.
• A wide-brimmed hat helps prevent sunburn as well as heat-related illness. Sunscreen also protects from the sun's harmful rays and reduces the risk of sunburn.
• If the house is not air-conditioned, seek accommodations in air-conditioned facilities during the heat of the day: multi-service centers, malls, movie theaters, libraries, etc.
• Take frequent cool baths or showers if your home is not air-conditioned.

The Houston Department of Health and Human Services recommends people begin taking precautions against high heat and humidity to prevent illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Doctors say the elderly and children are most at risk for heat-related illnesses.

Reliant Energy has opened 'Beat the Heat' centers around the Houston area:

• Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 W. Montgomery, 77091 - 713-694-9274
• Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center, 6402 Market Street, 77020 - 713-670-2143
• Northeast Multi-Service Center, 9720 Spaulding 77016 - 713-491-5500
• Southwest Multi-Service Center, 6400 High Star, 77074 - 713-778-6500
• Sunnyside Multi-Service Center, 4605 Wilmington Street, 77051 - 713-732-5030

Reliant Energy provides assistance during the summer for customers whose bills become so high they cannot afford to pay the entire thing at once. Other energy providers also often provide some type of assistance program.

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