This story has been updated to reflect that a heat advisory was issued by the National Weather Service for Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22.
LANSING — The first extended heat wave of the year is expected to leave the Lansing area sweltering over the next few days, and forecasters are suggesting people take precautions to avoid health problems.
Temperatures were expected to soar into the 90s for at least four straight days, and the humidity will make if feel a bit warmer than that, National Weather Service meteorologist Nathan Jeruzal said on the morning of June 20.
“It will be very hot during the daytime, but temperatures aren’t going to recover all that much at night,” Jeruzal said. “So for people who don’t have air conditioning, there could be a cumulative effect. Temperatures will probably only drop into the 70s at night, and the heat index will be only barely below 80 degrees each night.”
The extreme heat should settle in on Saturday, June 21. Highs on Friday, June 20 were expected to be in the low 80s, with thunderstorms possible.
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An extreme heat watch was issued for southwest and south-central Michigan from mid-day Saturday, June 21 until the evening of Tuesday, June 24. That watch was later upgraded to a heat advisory for Saturday and Sunday. Highs will be in the 90s both days, and with the humidity factored in, it will feel like 100 degrees to 105 degrees, the weather service said.
Forecasters said they were monitoring conditions for Monday and Tuesday and would issue an advisory, if necessary. There is a possibility cloud cover could limit temperatures somewhat on those two days.
Extreme heat can lead to dehydration and various heat-related illnesses, the weather service said.
Cities open cooling centers
Lansing Mayor Andy Schor activated the city’s “Code Red” heat emergency plan, opening community centers, libraries and various other facilities to be used as cooling enters. Letts Community Center will be open during the day over the weekend, and at least one non-profit shelter will have its drop-in center open over the weekend.
A list of cooling centers is available on the city’s website.
East Lansing is also opening cooling centers beginning June 20, at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, and the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road. The centers are open to community members who need relief from the heat.
Here are the hours: Both locations are open until 9 p.m. June 20; the Hannah Community Center is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 21, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, June 22, and 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday the week of June 23; the library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., closed Sunday, and open Monday through Friday.
Police: ‘Keep a close eye’ on older relatives
In June 20 news release, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan State Police urged people to “keep a close eye” on older relatives, neighbors, children and pets as temperatures rise. They also urged people to take precautions in the heat.
With high pressure settled over the region, it should stay relatively dry, forecasters said. There’s a small chance for a passing thunderstorm on June 21, but that should be it for rain chances until at least Tuesday afternoon, when a front is likely to drop down into Michigan.
“We’re not sure how far south that’s going to go right now, so we’re thinking (the heat) could last a little bit longer (in the Lansing area),” Jeruzal said.
People should take the usual precautions when it gets this hot, including staying out of the sun as much as possible, drinking lots of fluids and finding a place to cool off for awhile, either in an air-conditioned space or at beach where you can get in the water, forecasters said.
It’s also a good idea to lay off alcohol, which can exacerbate health effects, Jeruzal said.
That said,, there’s nothing particularly unusual about this heat wave, he said.
“I don’t think it’s going to be anything outrageous,” he said. “We see this once or twice a year. But it can be very taxing on … those who don’t have air conditional available to them.”
Contact Ken Palmer at kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on X @KBPalm_lsj
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: How does 105 degrees sound? It could feel that way over the next few days
Reporting by Ken Palmer, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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