Jun. 7--Drink plenty of water today, slather on sunscreen and pace yourself while outside.
That's the advice from a registered nurse and meteorologists, since today's weather may be within a degree or two of record highs.
"It's certainly a concern any time there's heat and people are going be outside," said Sharon Goforth, a registered nurse with the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.
Today's high is predicted to be about 95 degrees. The record, 96 degrees, was set in 1997, records show.
"We're in late spring, and the first day of summer is just two weeks away, so this is not completely unusual," said Terry Getz, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Morristown, Tenn.
With Chattanooga's annual Riverbend Festival drawing throngs of people into the late-afternoon sun over the next week, Ms. Goforth said participants should remember to wear sunscreen, wear a hat or carry an umbrella and drink plenty of water. She also recommends steering clear of alcohol, which can bring on dehydration.
The weekend certainly won't be the hottest of the summer, forecasters said. There are 100-degree days ahead, and the humidity only will add to that, they said.
"Further into the month, we're going to see temperatures between 98 and 102 degrees," Mr. Getz said.
Blame the week's heat wave on a big ridge of high pressure that has anchored itself over the Southeast, said David Glenn, WTVC News-Channel 9 chief meteorologist. That's typical of what happens in July and August, when the stifling heat is more permanent.
"I don't think this will last," Mr. Glenn said of this week's conditions. "There will be some break in this pattern into next week."
Next week, there will be some chance of afternoon thunderstorms, he said, and that's good news even though it may increase humidity.
"It feels hotter when the humidity is higher, but with dry heat, it heats up much faster," Mr. Glenn said.
This week's heat, with a baking sun and no showers expected, only is adding to the area's 5-inch rain deficit for the year, too, according to meteorologists.
Amie Fugate said she is spending time outdoors now and riding her bike downtown so she can cope with 100 degree-plus weather this summer.
"I'm pretty used to it," Ms. Fugate said. "It's the South."
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