TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN IN THE LOWER 90'S SINCE FRIDAY AS OUR FIRST HEAT WAVE OF THE SEASON GOT UNDERWAY, 11 DAYS BEFORE THE SUMMER SOLSTICE AND OFFICIAL START OF SUMMER JUNE 21ST. A HOT AND MUGGY AIR MASS WILL REMAIN ACROSS GEORGIA THE NEXT 5 DAYS REACHING A PEAK TODAY OR TOMORROW.

THE HEAT INDEX FOR THE NEXT TWO AFTERNOONS WILL BE AROUND 100 DEGREES IN THE SHADE (add 15 for direct sunlight) ALTHOUGH A HEAT ADVISORY IS NOT ANTICIPATED AT THIS TIME...THESE HEAT LEVELS CAN CAUSE A HEIGHTENED DANGER FOR HEAT STRESS AND HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES.

FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE PLANNING ON BEING OUTDOORS...

PLEASE REMEMBER DRINK PLENTY OF WATER OR OTHER NON-ALCOHOLIC FLUIDS...WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LIGHT COLORED CLOTHING....IF YOU MUST WORK OUTDOORS TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS IN THE SHADE AND TRY TO AVOID SUNBURN. IF POSSIBLE STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE...AND CHECK UP ON ELDERLY OR INFIRM RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

SLOW DOWN AND TRY TO REDUCE STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES UNTIL NEAR SUNSET. THOSE SENSITIVE TO SMOG OR OZONE SHOULD LIMIT OUTDOOR ACTIVITY TO THE MORNING HOURS.

Approximately 400 people die each year from exposure to heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our bodies dissipate heat by varying the rate and depth of blood circulation, by losing water through the skin and sweat glands, and as a last resort, by panting, when blood is heated above 98.6°F.

Sweating cools the body through evaporation. However, high relative humidity retards evaporation, robbing the body of its ability to cool itself. When heat gain exceeds the level the body can remove, body temperature begins to rise, and heat-related illnesses and disorders may develop.

If you must be out in the heat:

Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.
Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
Try to rest often in shady areas.
Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels).

It's summertime and you head out for a run.  Fifteen minutes into your run and your body temperature could be as high as 5°F above normal. If you were to continue at this pace, fatigue and heat illness would no doubt take over. By following some simple rules, you can prevent heat exhaustion.

Top 10 Tips to Protect Yourself from Heat Illness

Reduce the intensity of your workout, particularly the first few times you are exposed to higher temperatures.
Use the heat stress index table to determine the risk of exercising at various combinations of temperature and humidity.
When the heat stress index rises above 90°F, consider postponing your exercise session until later in the day.
Beat the day's heat by working out early in the morning.
Wear minimal clothing to provide greater skin surface area for heat dissipation.
Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing to reflect the sun's rays.
Wear clothing made of a material that absorbs water, such as cotton.
Drink before, during, and after exercising. (Drink six to eight ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during exercise).
Consume more fluids than you think you need before and after exercise.
Know when to say 'no' to exercise. Use common sense to prevent heat stress when it gets hot out.