'It gets dangerous': Sioux Falls could break record temperatures Wednesday
Alfonzo GalvanIf you haven't said it, you've thought it. It's hot, but just how hot is it?
Sioux Falls is once again experiencing above-average temperatures. This time, though, the increased temperatures and lack of precipitation continue to be a mounting problem across the state suffering from a drought.
And the high digits can be especially dangerous to vulnerable populations and pets that are left outside, officials with the National Weather Service say.
How hot will it be?
Tuesday's high in Sioux Falls will be at 98 degrees and then climb to 103 degrees for Wednesday, according to the NWS in Sioux Falls.
Other temperatures in the area for Tuesday include Yankton, with a high of 101; Lake Andes, 103; Mitchell, at 100; and Brookings, at 95, officials with the NWS said.
Heat and humidity will combine to create dangerous heat indices for Tuesday, and a heat advisory was put in effect for the entire area Tuesday morning, according to the NWS in Sioux Falls. The hot temps has Sioux Falls hitting a heat index of 104,Lake Andes and Mitchell at 105, Yankton at 106 and Brookings at 99.
A heat advisory means that heat-related illness is possible for those in "strenuous" outdoor activities or with no A/C.
“Anytime those values (indices) get around 100 or more, it gets dangerous,” said Andrew Kalin, a meteorologist with the NWS in Sioux Falls.
Come Wednesday, though, that advisory will be upgraded to an excessive heat watch because of the scorching temperature, which is expected to last from Wednesday afternoon through the evening. An excessive heat watch means the extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
Here's how you can stay safe
Temps are expected to dip downward though for the end of the week, and there will be small rain chances for Wednesday evening and Friday.
Some areas may also approach record highs Wednesday. The record for a high temperature in Sioux Falls is 102 and could be broken this week. Mitchell will have a high of 104 and Huron 105, the NWS said.
Kalin said those working or spending extended periods of time outside should take constant breaks, preferably in an air conditioned place. He also said people should hydrate often by drinking water.
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“We should see some temps closer to normal as we hit the weekend with temperatures in the mid-80s,” Kalin said.
Minnehaha County is split in half between a D2 Severe Drought affecting the majority of the eastern half of the county and a higher D3 Extreme Drought on the west side, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Here's a look at the rest of the week, according to the NWS:
Tuesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. South wind five to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 104. South southwest wind five to 15 mph.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. South southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northeast wind five to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 83.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 88.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 85.
Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60.
Monday: Sunny, with a high near 85.