Saturday is the first of three scorching days in central Iowa, arriving just as a weekend full of outdoor activities kicks off.
How hot will it be?
The National Weather Service forecasts the high today will reach 93 degrees, with a “feels-like” heat index value of 101. Sunday and Monday are expected to kick it up a notch, with a high of 96 forecast Sunday and 97 on Monday. Overnight temperatures are expected to fall no lower than the mid-70s, making for some uncomfortably steamy evenings and mornings.
The weather service has issued a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Saturday and says it expects to issue another on Sunday.
What should I do to cope with the heat?
Despite the heat, thousands of Iowans are spending much of the weekend outdoors, attending events like the 80/35 Music Festival in Water Works Park in Des Moines, the Hy-Vee IndyCar Race Weekend at Iowa Speedway in Newton and the USAT Youth and Junior National at RipRoar West Des Moines triathlons.
The weather service offers familiar advice: Stay hydrated and out of the sun, wear light, loose-fitting clothing and try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or the evening.
Where can I go to cool off?
Polk County Emergency Management has activated its Extreme Temperature Plan. Many public libraries and senior centers will be open as cooling centers, with access to air conditioning and water. For a list of locations and hours, click here. For Dallas County locations, click here.
In areas with DART service, the transit agency will provide free rides to anyone traveling to a cooling center. The emergency management agency advises riders to tell the driver when they board that they are seeking to go to a cooling center, and they will be dropped off at the nearest available one. Paratransit service also is available for people with disabilities.
How long will the heat last?
The weather service forecasts a high of 84 on Tuesday, and then highs in the lower 80s through Friday.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Highs expected to reach mid-to-upper 90s over weekend in central Iowa
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