The National Weather Service in Birmingham has issued a Heat Advisory for all of Central Alabama, including west Blount County, in effect until 9 p.m. Saturday. Heat index values - what the temperature actually feels like factoring in humidity - are expected to reach as high as 109 degrees.
But Saturday isn’t the end of it. NWS forecasts show the pattern holding through nearly the entire coming week, with actual air temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s every day and heat index values regularly topping 105 to 107.
The forecast:
- Friday: High near 95, heat index up to 107
- Saturday: High near 96, heat index up to 107 - Heat Advisory in effect until 9 p.m.
- Sunday: High near 97
- Monday: High near 98, slight chance of afternoon storms
- Tuesday: High near 95, chance of afternoon storms
- Wednesday: High near 95
- Thursday: High near 94
Overnight lows are staying in the mid-70s all week, which means little relief after dark - a pattern the Weather Service says increases the risk of heat-related illness, since bodies don’t get much chance to cool down before the next day’s heat builds back in.
A few scattered afternoon storm chances are in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday, but nothing significant enough to break the pattern.
NWS safety guidance for this stretch:
- Drink plenty of water and limit outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours
- Check on elderly neighbors and relatives, especially those without reliable air conditioning
- Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion - heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness - and heat stroke, which is a medical emergency