With summer having officially started just a couple weeks ago, Bradford is already seeing some record heat.
According to a forecaster from the National Weather Service office in State College, Bradford experienced record-breaking high temperatures on Saturday and Sunday –– both highs coming in at 88 degrees.
The forecaster explained that the last time Bradford experienced such a stretch of intense heat was back in 2011. During that period, Bradford experienced temperatures of at least 85 degrees for eight consecutive days. The heat will continue throughout the rest of the week, then the weekend will be slightly cooler.
However with high heat can come high humidity.
According to the forecaster, “When the humidity is high, your body’s perspiration is less effective because it takes longer to evaporate, so it feels hotter because your body can’t cool down as quickly.”
With that said, high heat can become very dangerous and can lead one to develop a heat-related illness that, if not taken care of immediately, may lead to severe effects.
“The heat is dangerous above 90, 95 and especially above 100 degrees. Lows in the 80s can also be dangerous especially if you don’t have an air conditioner. Long heat waves can have a gradual impact on a person,” said the forecaster.
His advice was, “Drink plenty of water, try to be outside when it is cooler, wear light clothing and listen to your body. If you start to feel sick, sit down and drink plenty of water.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, if near someone who is suffering from a heat-related illness, first, ask if they are OK. If they are conscious and give permission, move the victim to either a shaded or air conditioned area, or submerge them in cool water. Next, give the victim plenty of fluids by giving them either a sports drink or water. If the victim is unconscious or if the conscious victim’s condition worsens, call 911 immediately and then proceed to administer first aid; keep in mind that the Good Samaritan law protects those who decide to administer first aid from any legal liabilities.
