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Chris Dellinger (photo provided)
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NPL Construction workers seek refuge in the shade of a maple tree on Grand Central Avenue to escape the heat on Wednesday. The workers said they never really get used to working in this weather, but the heat of the last few days has been particularly brutal for them. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
NPL Construction workers seek refuge in the shade of a maple tree on Grand Central Avenue to escape the heat on Wednesday. The workers said they never really get used to working in this weather, but the heat of the last few days has been particularly brutal for them. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
PARKERSBURG – Parts of the region experienced brief rain showers Wednesday afternoon, but a longer break from this week’s sweltering hot and dry weather is not expected until Saturday.
A cold front is expected to move through the region on Saturday, said Andy Roche, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.
“This will bring rainfall and cooler temperatures for Sunday and the beginning of the week,” he said. “Behind the cold front, there will be relief for the new week on Saturday.”
While maximum temperatures of over 35 degrees Celsius were expected for Wednesday, today and Friday, they will drop to 30 degrees Celsius on Saturday with a 70% chance of rain.
After a high of 87 degrees Celsius predicted for Sunday, the upper limit will shift into the lower 80s on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Chris Dellinger (photo provided)
Chris Dellinger, director of emergency, trauma and intensive care at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, said if someone needs to go outside, try to do so at certain times of the day.
“If you are outside in the early morning or late evening, the heat is less intense,” she said.
This is especially important as children return to school and engage in sports and outdoor activities after school.
It is very important to take frequent breaks and drink as much fluids as possible.
However, those who have to work outside can mitigate the effects in other ways, said Dellinger.
“When it’s hot, wear light colors. Dark colors absorb heat. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing.” she said.
Dellinger also recommends not staying in a parked car for long periods of time, even with the air conditioning on.
Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis said the school district sent emails to elementary school principals Wednesday morning because of the heat, asking them to dismiss all students at the same time at the end of the school day rather than staggering their schedule as usual.
“We didn’t want a group of students sitting on the bus waiting for the next group to get off,” Said Willis. “It’s just too hot for that.”
Cindi Taylor, coordinator of middle school athletic programs, contacted surrounding districts to let them know that all middle school football practice games scheduled for Wednesday were canceled, Willis said.
A representative of Memorial Health System said that despite the high temperatures in the hospital’s emergency rooms, there has been no increase in heat-related illnesses.
