Grab the water and some sunglasses heading out the door Monday. There will be plenty of sunshine and lots of humidity that will make it feel excruciatingly hot this afternoon and evening.

The heat and very high humidity will lead to heat index values well over 100 degrees across much of the Tennessee Valley. An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect for northwest and northcentral Alabama until 8 pm Monday. A Heat Advisory will be in effect for DeKalb, Jackson, and our counties in southern middle Tennessee from 8 pm Monday. No matter if you are in a warning or an advisory, it is important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from the heat.

The excessive heat and humidity are forecast to continue for the area at the start of the coming week. High temperatures Sunday and Monday are forecast to rise into the mid to upper 90s. The combination of hot temperatures and dew points well in the 70s will support heat index values ranging from 100 to 115 degrees.

For the Huntsville area specifically, the heat index value Sunday will range from 108 to 115 degrees by the afternoon hours. What could limit how extreme it gets would be cloud cover and any afternoon rain activity. By Monday afternoon the heat index values will range from 102 to 106 degrees. A frontal passage Tuesday into Wednesday will mean comfortable conditions return to the area.

Difference Between Excessive Heat Warning & Heat Advisory:

Since there are two separate heat alerts issued for the area, it is important to know the difference between the two. An Excessive Heat Warning is issued when the heat index values are forecast to reach 110 degrees or higher. A Heat Advisory is issued when the heat index values are forecast to reach between 105 and 109 degrees. At this time, the hottest air is expected to be across northcentral and northwest Alabama.

Keeping Yourself Safe During Extreme Heat:

Knowing the signs between heat exhaustion and heat stroke could potentially save someone’s life. A person who may be showing signs of heat exhaustion would feel faint, nauseous, or vomiting and would be sweating excessively. Symptoms of a heat stroke include a throbbing headache, nausea and no sweating.

There are plenty of things you can do to protect yourself and your furry friend from the extreme heat. First, make sure you are staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids. Limit the amount of strenuous activity outdoors and seek shade when needed. In addition, you should consider limiting strenuous activities, such as exercising to the early morning or late evening when it is cooler.

Never leave your kids or pets in the car. The temperatures inside a car will reach nearly 120 degrees in 10 minutes. Also, if you need to be outside, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Be sure to look out for people that may be more sensitive to the heat, such as children and the elderly.

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