What to know as temperatures return to more than 100 degrees in Salina this week

Salina and central Kansas is expected to see more extreme heat in coming days with temperatures over 100 degrees forecasted to begin Monday.

According to the area forecast discussion just before noon July 16, the Wichita office of the National Weather Service said conditions at the beginning of the week will "support high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for much of the week, with the hottest daytime highs ranging from 105-110 in the middle of the week in central Kansas."

"(Because of this), heat headlines are expected to be issued by the beginning of the week in anticipation of this dangerous heat," the discussion said.

The office's weather story showed that heat indices may reach as high as 112 degrees in Salina and across central Kansas.

What kind of risk does this extreme heat pose in central Kansas?

The NWS HeatRisk index looks at the forecast risk of heat-related impacts over a 24-hour period, taking into consideration how unusual the heat is for the time of the year, the duration of the heat including both daytime and nighttime temperatures and if those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From Monday to Thursday, the last forecasted day available at time of writing, the HeatRisk index for the majority of central Kansas is categorized under "Red 3," meaning there is major risk for impact.

"This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure," the NWS said about the Red 3 category.

With this heat expected, the National Weather Service advises people to take steps to help prevent heat related illnesses, including with heat safety tips and resources listed on its website.

Some of these tips include practicing heat safety wherever people may be, such as staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade whenever possible at job sites; checking in on the elderly, sick and those without air conditioning and limiting strenuous outdoor activities.

The service also reminds people to never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Who is most susceptible to high temperatures?

Additionally, the weather service lists the following groups of people vulnerable to heat, noting that friends and relatives should check in on them regularly:

• Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
• Older adults, particularly those with pre existing diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility who are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
• People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have a serious health problem during a heat wave than healthy people.
• Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: What to know as temperatures return to more than 100 degrees in Salina this week