Rebecca Darish, NWS meteorologist, said the temperatures Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be in the mid to high 90s, with heat indexes of 104. Friday temperatures are expected to be in the low 90s with a heat index well below 100 degrees as a cool front moves in. Lows are expected to be in the low to mid 70s Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

“Wednesday and Thursday look to be our hottest days of the week,” Darish said. “We’re looking at heat index values (Wednesday) and Thursday just below advisory criteria. Our heat advisory criteria is 105 degrees. … So, we’re still seeing above 100 heat index, but not quite meeting that criteria to issue a heat advisory.”

The hottest days this summer, Darish said, were June 25 and June 26 when the temperature was 99 degrees. She said it is likely even higher temperatures will be reached in August.

Dr. Wes Stubblefield, district medical officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, said people who are going to be outside need to pay attention to the heat index, and not only the temperature. He said there are guidelines for anyone who will be outside for any period of time.

“Make sure you stay hydrated before you begin any activity. You want to stay hydrated throughout the activity, and you want to hydrate after activity,” Stubblefield said. “People that are working outside, their employers should be allowing them to take plenty of breaks. Making sure that they are in the shade as much as possible. Have a place to cool down if they get too hot. Providing plenty of access to hydration throughout the day.”

Stubblefield said there are three levels of heat-related illnesses.

“Some people are more sensitive than others to heat cramps. This is when people get low on their fluids and their muscles start to cramp,” he said. “This could be a sign that you don’t have enough fluids or electrolytes in your system, and you need to rehydrate.”

The next more dangerous level is heat exhaustion, Stubblefield said.

“Heat exhaustion is when their bodies are hot and they’re having trouble cooling down,” he said. “They’re very sweaty, they don’t feel well, they may be nauseous or be fatigued. In general, just don’t feel well.”

Stubblefield said heat stroke is even more severe.

“Heat stroke can be a fatal complication of heat exposure that goes beyond heat exhaustion,” he said. “And that’s when your body completely loses the ability to get rid of heat. Your body temperature can go up to as high as 106 or 107 degrees Fahrenheit where your processes don’t work properly. You can lose consciousness or pass out. You may be experiencing mental defects; people may be confused.”

Stubblefield said the symptoms are extremely dangerous.

“The skin can be hot and dry because they are just so dry they can’t make sweat,” he said. “This requires people to call EMS immediately, and to try to get these people to a cool place.”

Darish said heat like this is usually accompanied by a dry pattern. There is only a 10% chance of rain from Wednesday through Sunday. The next chance for rain is 20-30% around the middle of next week.

Saturday and Sunday, Darish said, are expected to be much cooler with highs expected to be in the mid to high 80s and lows in the low to mid 60s.