CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)
- Several viewers have asked about the differences between Heat Advisories and
Excessive Heat Warnings. With
potentially dangerous weather once again in our forecast this week, here's the
breakdown of the criteria used by the National Weather Service when heat
reaches dangerous levels.
When an Excessive
Heat Warning is issued for your area, the combination of heat and humidity can
quickly become deadly if precautions are not taken. It will be issued if the heat index is
forecast to climb to at least 105° for more than three hours per day for two
consecutive days. It will also be issued
if the heat index is expected to climb over 115° for any length of time.
In the simplest
terms, a Heat Advisory is less urgent than an Excessive Heat Warning, but
conditions could still be dangerous.
A Heat Advisory will
be issued when heat indices will be above 105° but less than 115° for less than
three hours per day, or if nighttime lows are expected to remain above 80°.
When one of these is
issued for your area, you should take precautions to stay cool. Drink plenty of water, take breaks from the
heat, and remember to use sunscreen.
Sunburn only makes it more difficult for your body to cool itself.
Also remember that
pets need help to stay cool, too. Click
here for tips on how you can help your furry friends beat the heat.
