It’s going to feel hot in Ohio this week, especially on Wednesday, when the heat index is expected to climb near 100 degrees in parts of Ohio.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington says heat and humidity will build Tuesday through Sunday across parts of Kentucky and much of Ohio. The heat index could approach 100 degrees Wednesday, making it feel significantly hotter than the air temperature.
Here’s what to know and how to stay safe.
What is the heat index? How it differs from air temperature
Air temperature is measured in the shade with a thermometer, while the heat index factors in humidity to reflect what your body actually experiences, according to NOAA.
The heat index is often described as the “feels-like” temperature, which measures how hot it feels when humidity is combined with air temperature, according to the National Weather Service.
Ohio’s hottest temperature on record
Ohio’s record high temperature is 109 degrees, set in McArthur on July 25, 1934.
Middletown ranked second at 108 degrees, recorded Aug. 9, 1930, and several cities, including Somerset, Marietta and Ironton, have reached 107 degrees. Overall, at least 24 locations in Ohio have recorded triple-digit temperatures since 1894, according to the National Weather Service.
Heatstroke vs. heat exhaustion: What’s the difference?
Heat exhaustion happens when the body overheats, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse. Heat exhaustion is one of three heat illnesses. Heat cramps are the mildest heat illness, while heat stroke is the most serious.
Signs of heatstroke include:
How to stay safe in the heat
The Ohio Department of Health offers these tips to stay safe and cool during a heat wave:
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Heat index could hit 100 degrees in Ohio this week. How to stay cool
Reporting by Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK / Cincinnati Enquirer
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By Alex Perry, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
