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Weather Service puts Petersburg area under ‘Excessive Heat' warning for the next three days
Dangerous heat will envelop central Virginia over the next three days with temperatures feeling at least 10 degrees higher than what the mercury will read.
The National Weather Service office in Wakefield has issued an Extreme Heat warning from 10 a.m. June 23 through 8 p.m. June 25. Predicted high temperatures will hit 100 degrees, but the heat index — humidity levels that make it feel hotter than what the temperature reads — could make it feel at least 110 degrees or higher.
The affected regions stretch from north-central Virginia to Tidewater and includes all of the Tri-City Area.
Unprotected exposure to the intense weather increases chances of heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses. Unnecessary trips outdoors should be prevented, but if you must be outside, health officials recommend drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks under shade or in a cooled room.
Special attention should be given to children and the elderly to make sure they are protected.
In Petersburg, a cooling station will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays all summer at the downtown Transit Center. Air conditioning and cold water are on the agendas for each day.
Anyone seeking shelter is encouraged to take advantage if they need relief. Unless they are service animals, pets will not be allowed inside the center.
Residents can use Petersburg Area Transit buses to and from the transit center.
Forecasters say while triple-digit temperatures could come to an end by mid-week, the heat is not going away anytime soon.
NWS Wakefield is predicting highs in the mid- to upper-90s through next weekend, if not longer. Overnight lows all week will be in the 70s with still plenty of humidity.
Rain possibilities are also minimal at best all week. NWS Wakefield says there are 30% chances of showers and/or storms next weekend.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Excessive heat builds over Petersburg area this week
