Dangerously hot temperatures engulfing the metro-east. Here’s the latest forecast

Dangerously hot temperatures have made their way to the metro-east.

The entire region currently is under an excessive heat warning that extends until 9 p.m. Friday with heat index values expected to reach between 105-114 degrees. Temperatures are projected to hit 102 degrees Thursday and 101 degrees Friday.

These extreme conditions greatly enhance the risk of heat-related illnesses, said Lydia Jaja, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis.

“If you happen to be outside, heat stroke can come very easily in this type of weather for both humans and pets — pets especially if they’re walking on concrete. People really should put shoes on them so their feet don’t burn” she said Thursday afternoon. “Heat-related illnesses come much quicker in this weather, so if you have to be outside, be sure to wear light clothing and loose fitting clothing, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.”

Jaja explained what an excessive heat warning entails.

“These are issued when the maximum heat index crosses 110 at a minimum and the low is no lower than 75 degrees over a two day period,” she said. “Basically, it has to be excessively hot for the entire 24 hour period for two days — or an entire 48-hour period.”

Do not leave children, pets in cars

Jaja urgently warned people not to leave children or pets in cars. She further explained a car that has been shut off can easily and quickly reach a deadly 130-140 degrees.

“If it’s 110 outside and you’re sweating and uncomfortable with a breeze blowing, imaging how hot a car in a closed environment gets after heating up ... it’s easily 130 or 140 degrees inside a car,” Jaja said. “This is extremely deadly to people, especially smaller vulnerable children or animals. It doesn’t take long for a child or pet to suffer from a heat-related illness or death. And cracking the window doesn’t really do anything for that. Make sure to never ever leave a pet or a child in the car.

According to the National Safety Council, on average, 38 children under the age of 15 die each year from heatstroke after being left in a vehicle. The number of child hot car deaths for 2022 was 33, according to the National Safety Council website and, so far in 2023, 14 deaths have been reported.

Nearly every state has experienced at least one death since 1998. In both 2018 and 2019 a record 53 children died after being left in a hot vehicle, the Safety Council noted.

“Our phrase is look before you lock,” Kevin Deitsch, another National Weather Service meteorologist, said earlier this summer. “If you have children always check the back seat before locking the car and before you head into wherever you’re going. It only takes a few minutes to get the car dangerously hot.”

Meanwhile, According to PETA’s website, in 2022, 57 animals endured heat–related deaths and another 488 were rescued from the heat. So far in 2023, at least 67 animals have endured heat-related deaths and another 239 were rescued from the heat. And those are just the ones that were reported, the website noted, while suggesting those numbers are far higher as “most deaths go unreported.”

The National Weather Service posted this safety information for pets issued by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• Animals can die of heatstroke within 15 minutes.
• Cracking the window does not help.
• During hot weather, keep pets at home.
• If people see a pet in an unattended vehicle, they should not leave until the problem has been solved.

Drought conditions

As of Thursday afternoon, drought conditions had been improving in southwestern Illinois.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map, only the southeastern portion of Monroe County remains in a severe drought. Otherwise, Bond, Clinton, Madison, the rest of Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Washington counties are classified as abnormally dry.

This is an improvement over the drought conditions reported in late June when every county was reporting some level of drought ranging from moderate to severe.

“We have seen improvement,” Jaja said. “With it being hot and dry, it’s certainly not great for conditions to keep improving. But the latest Climate Prediction Center’s monthly/seasonal outlook shows below normal temperatures for August through October. If that comes to fruition, that will put a dent into the drought and help with conditions.

“But there’s no guarantee that will come true.”

Jaja said she’s unsure how much, if at all, the current heatwave will impact the drought.

“I don’t have the expertise to say if the current heat will impact the conditions a lot or little,” she said. “They’re not favorable to alleviate the drought, but I can’t say for sure if it will set us back or any.”

Here is the official classification system of the U.S. Drought Monitor:

• None: Normal or wet conditions, -0.49 inches or above
• D0: Abnormally dry, -0.5 to -0.79 inches
• D1: Moderate Drought, -0.8 to -1.29 inches
• D2: Severe drought, -1.3 to 1.59 inches
• D3: Extreme drought, -1.6 to -1.99 inches
• D4: Exceptional drought, -2.0 or less

A look ahead

Little relief from the heat appears in the immediate future, as highs Saturday are expected to reach 99 degrees. Then, the ensuing forecast shows projected highs of 92 on Sunday, 91 on Monday, 95 on Tuesday and 99 on Wednesday.

Jaja offered these additional safety tips for extended periods of this type of heat.

“Make sure you’re not spending an extended period of time outside. It does add up day after day,” she said. “The duration of the heat is important in these extreme heat conditions. Give your body time to calm down and cool down before you go outside to do more activity. Check on neighbors.

“There are a lot of people who have to choose between affording medication or air conditioning and sometimes they choose their medication. If you know people like that, make sure they’re okay . Check on the disabled or the elderly. Heat-related deaths very real.”

The National Weather Service recommends keeping plugged into the forecast as it develops at www.weather.gov. Their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/NWSStLouis.