Hot Enough for You?

Dayton Daily News › August 10, 2005

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Summary

DAYTON -- If you're anxiously awaiting relief from the steamy summer weather, don't look at the seven-day forecast. Temperatures in the Miami Valley will hang in the upper 80s and lower 90s until the middle of next week, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Factor the usual Dayton humidity into the heat index and it will feel like the mid-to-upper 90s, meteorologist Steve Hrebenach said. This summer has seen 14 days of 90 degrees or above. There were five 90-plus days in June, five in July, and four so far in August, making this summer the hottest since 2002. That year, there were 29 days over 90. Although the summer of 2005 will soon pass the average 15 or 16 days over 90, it is doesn't come close to 1983, which had a record 31 days. During the heat of the day, avoid overexertion and drink about twice as much water as you think you need, said Bill Wharton of the Combined Health District of Montgomery County. Wharton said high school athletes who begin everyday practices in August need to take special care to stay cool and hydrated.

Athletes should drink water before going outside to practice as well as during practice. In extended practices they should replace the electrolytes they sweat with sports drinks, Wharton said.