Solstice sizzle: Western Pa. braces for a surge in summer heat

Grab your water bottles. Summer’s officially here, and a uncanny stretch of consecutive days with temperatures in the 90s will accompany the solstice.

For the first time in June since 1994, the Pittsburgh region is expected to have five or more days of temperatures in the 90s. And they’re coming one after another. The extreme heat begins Sunday, said Jared Rackley, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon.

The upcoming weather outlook has the following high temperatures:

• Sunday: 95 degrees
• Monday: 96 degrees
• Tuesday: 96 degrees
• Wednesday: 94 degrees
• Thursday: 93 degrees
• Friday: 90 degrees

“We’re not really gonna cool down all that much, so if you don’t have AC in your house, that’s not going to be good for sleeping,” Rackley said.

The high temperatures are coming from an area of high pressure moving over Western Pennsylvania. There’s nothing on the horizon to push it away.

Rackley said temperatures should start to cool down by a few degrees into next weekend.

Despite the dangerously high temperatures, Jeff Verszyla, meteorologist at WTAE-TV, said the hot and dry climate Sunday through Wednesday is actually necessary.

“The dry pattern is much needed, given how wet it has been in recent days, so there is a positive.”

Signs of illness

Dr. Akshay Khandelwal, system chair for the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Allegheny Health Network, emphasized that extreme heat can impact heart health for anyone.

“Even those without medical concerns have to be very careful, but especially those with cardiac conditions,” he said.

Khandelwal’s wife is about to return to Pittsburgh from India. She hoped for a reprieve from the warm temperatures. With a laugh, he said he broke the news to her via text.

“Surprise hon, it’s actually quite warm here,” he said he wrote.

Khandelwal said it seems like there’s “no in between” with weather here: Lots of rain and now a heat wave.

“My God, we just can’t seem to catch a break,” he said.

People with known or undiagnosed coronary artery disease, heart failure or heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias are at risk, according to Khandelwal.

“Hotter days mean that you’re going to perspire more,” he said, which therefore increases cardiac output since the body is trying to cool down through sweat.

That, mixed with ongoing dehydration because of the heat itself or a failure to replace fluids, is why this extreme heat is dangerous for people with heart conditions, Khandelwal said.

“The body’s way to compensate (for dehydration) is to raise its heart rate,” he said.

To make it through the high temperatures, Khandelwal suggested staying cool and hydrated.

Patients with cardiac disease should exercise in the early morning, late evening or indoors to avoid heat, according to Khandelwal.

When facing a heat-related health emergency, people should stop what they’re doing, rest in a cool place and slowly sip water, according to the American Red Cross of Greater Pittsburgh.

“It’s critical to act fast, as some types of heat illness can be deadly,” the Red Cross said.

Three signs of heat illnesses are:

• Heat cramps: Signaled by heavy sweating and muscle pain. Seek medical attention if cramps last over an hour or there are heart problems.

• Heat exhaustion: Signaled by heavy sweating, weakness, cool and clammy skin, muscle cramps, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting.

• Heat stroke: A deadly condition signaled by high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, confusion, headache, dizziness, fainting, nausea or vomiting.

People who have to be outside, such as athletes and outdoor workers, should drink a cup of water every 20 minutes and take frequent water breaks. A child or pet should never be left alone inside a parked car.

Staying safe

The American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania suggests staying cool by spending time in air conditioned spaces like a mall, library, movie theater or museum.

To ensure that any power outages are restored quickly, Duquesne Light is increasing staffing. It serves more than 600,000 customers in two counties, including the City of Pittsburgh.

In preparation for the heat and potential power outages, the light company said people should do the following:

• Fully charge cellphones and other necessary electronics
• Keep an emergency preparedness kit with water bottles, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights and a battery-powered radio

Cooling centers in Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities — including many senior centers — will be open for residents to seek relief from the extreme heat. Any ages are welcome, and some locations will have extended hours.

Where to beat this heat? These are the hotspots to cool down.

Four county pools are open seven days a week as well, weather permitting, and specific hours and rates can be found on the county website.

Khandelwal said the mall, a friend’s house or the pool are not bad ideas for staying cool. However, people can get more dehydrated than they think at the pool, so they should stick to shaded areas and keep hydrated.