It has been a hot summer in Atlanta so far but not as hot as last year. So far this summer is about 1 degree F lower than last year and the humidity most days this summer has been lower than last year. The worst heat so far this summer has been centered in the southern Great Plains where some cities in Texas and Oklahoma have had up to 40 days with highs over the century mark. Monday 17 states issued heat advisories or heat warnings for dangerous levels of heat and humidity threatening health or life.

Sunday the high in Atlanta was 92, rather run of the mill for the middle of summer in Atlanta. However, mid to upper 90s are in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, about 8 degrees above-normal. High humidity will make it feel like a sauna with a maximum heat index or "feels like" reading near 106 in the shade. Add 15 for full direct sun.

Less hot and less humid conditions are expected by the weekend after scattered storms increase Wednesday and Thursday.

On hot, sunny days, surface temperatures of roofs and pavement can be from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the air temperature! These hot surfaces contribute to “urban heat islands” where temperatures in cities are hotter than surrounding, less developed areas. The urban heat island effect can be particularly pronounced at night, when city temperatures may be as much as 22 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas. Higher temperatures in cities have a number of impacts, including increased energy use for air conditioning, increased emissions of air pollutants, and impacts on human health.

Older individuals are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. The body’s cooling mechanism doesn’t work as efficiently as we age and living alone or being confined to a bed can further increase vulnerability.  Keep these tips in mind to help older family members and friends stay healthy:
·         Seek out A/C – A few hours per day in an air-conditioned building can reduce risk of illness. If your home does not have A/C, visit a senior center, movie theater, library, mall or designated community cooling center. A fan may provide some relief, but when temperatures reach the high 90s, electric fans do not prevent heat-related illness.
·         Dress the Part – Wear light-weight, loose clothing that is light in color.  Drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or lots of sugar, which can cause dehydration.
·         Check Up – If you have a family member, friend or neighbor who is at risk, visit them regularly.  If you see signs of heat-related illness – confusion, hot and dry skin, hallucinations, or aggression – seek help immediately.
 
In south Georgia summer came in with a vengeance, again. June 2011 marked the second June in a row with exceptionally warm temperatures in the Southeast. Temperatures in Savannah, Georgia rose above 90 degrees all 30 days of the month, which was a continuation of a 90 degree day run that began near the end of May, breaking the previous streak of 27 days of 90 plus degrees set in 1911 and tied in 1952. Precipitation levels 25 to 75 percent of normal were experienced across the region, and drought conditions worsened. Extreme and exceptional drought expanded across northern Florida, southern Alabama and Georgia, and severe drought expanded across eastern North Carolina. There were 1,886 reports of severe weather in the Southeast during June, with severe weather happening somewhere in the region on every day of the month.
 
Continue reading on Examiner.comExcessive heat wave alert - Atlanta Weather | Examiner.comhttp://www.examiner.com/weather-in-atlanta/excessive-heat-wave-alert#ixzz1RoMBEJi9

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TUESDAY TO 5 AM EDT
WEDNESDAY DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN PEACHTREE CITY HAS ISSUED A HEAT
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TUESDAY TO 5 AM EDT
WEDNESDAY.

* THE HEAT ADVISORY AREA IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTH AND CENTRAL
  GEORGIA...GENERALLY SOUTH OF A LINE FROM HAMILTON THROUGH
  MARIETTA TO HOMER. THIS AREA IS EXPECTING TO HAVE HEAT INDICES
  EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 105 DEGREES ON TUESDAY AND MINIMUM
  TEMPERATURES NO LOWER THAN 75 DEGREES ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY
  MORNINGS.

* TEMPERATURES...HIGHS FROM 95 TO 100 DEGREES ON TUESDAY.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF DANGEROUS HEAT IS
EXPECTED. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED
ROOM AND STAY OUT OF DIRECT SUNSHINE. REMEMBER...THE
ELDERLY...VERY YOUNG...AND PEOPLE WITH HEART CONDITIONS ARE MOST
AT RISK IN EXTREME HEAT. FRIENDS...RELATIVES... AND NEIGHBORS
SHOULD CHECK ON PEOPLE WHO MAY BE AT RISK.

WHEN POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING
OR AFTER SUNSET. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION
AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR
WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS
SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED
ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL
AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY - CALL 911.

PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO THIS HEAT CAN BE DANGEROUS IF THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS
EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY
WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE
POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED
ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND
NEIGHBORS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE.  WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING.  KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE.  WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE  FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.