Warning issued for Ann Arbor as heat index heads toward 105 degrees
- Related: 5 ways to stay cool at the Ann Arbor Art Fair
- Update: 6 Ann Arbor art fairgoers transported to hospital due to heat-related illness
A heat advisory in effect since noon Tuesday has now been upgraded to an excessive heat warning for the Ann Arbor area.
The National Weather Service out of Detroit issued the warning Thursday morning and it is in effect until 8 p.m. Friday.
The heat index is expected to reach 105 degrees today in Ann Arbor, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat warning.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Health officials are warning people spending time outdoors this week to stay hydrated and to take breaks in the shade or air conditioning to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Washtenaw County Public Health has announced a list of buildings that are welcoming the public to cool down in their air-conditioned spaces this week.
Thursday morning, Washtenaw County officials were reviewing weather conditions to gauge weather they warranted the implementation of the Heatwave Community Response Plan, said Cindra James, the health department's emergency preparedness administrator.
The plan would mean that certain public buildings -- like schools -- would be opened as cooling centers where the public could rest in air conditioning and find food and water. Emergency transportation to cooling centers would also be available.
The emergency response plan is only activated after two to three days of a continued heat advisory, or one day of an excessive heat warning, in addition to power outages.
James said the county is considering the hot weather this week to be a "minor heat wave."
Friday night the heat wave is expected to break near midnight, when thunderstorms are expected to hit southeast Michigan. Saturday will be much cooler with a high near 78.
For up-to-date weather information, visit AnnArbor.com's weather page.
Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.
Comments
Thinkin' it Over
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 : 1:01 p.m.
"The plan would mean that certain public buildings -- like schools -- would be opened as cooling centers where the public could rest in air conditioning and find food and water." The public schools are not air conditioned.
HPD
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 : 12:17 a.m.
Firstly, I am deeply aware of how class and other forms of oppression have me living a life of privilege. When temperatures are up I can take off to swim in a nearby city pool or a lake. I can find shade, bring in night air, or use air conditioning to relieve the physical and emotional stress and refresh myself. There are many who are packed into urban heat-collecting environments, some are homeless and do not have access to the health-promoting benefits of cooling options. Let's keep thinking about how we can balance the privileges more equitably between our fellow humans.
Tom Joad
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:37 p.m.
This is not your Daddy's summertime anymore. We are deep in the throes of the effects of global climate change and the Art Fair organizers need to recognize this indisputable fact and move it to early June. Mid July is statistically the hottest days of Summer. Yes, TOUGH decisions need to be made to mitigate the effects of climate change. Milling about in 105 degree-like temperatures under an oppressive sun is a recipe for heat exhaustion at best and heat stroke at worst. The majority of attendees are quite simply not accustomed to high temperatures in the air-conditioned car and cavernous home lifestyle. In fact you're more like to suffer from the debilitating effects of heat by moving from an air-conditioned environment into the heat.
JRW
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 8:16 p.m.
Exactly. The fairs need to be held either in June after kids are out of school and graduations are over with, or in August before the college kids come back. Either way, there are better options that the hottest week of the year. It's not good for artists or visitors.
Hotternhell
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:26 p.m.
I'm so happy they have heat warnings for the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Too bad they don't have the same type of warning for the buildings at U of M where the air has not worked properly all week long. It's somewhat sad when you work for a health system that doesn't seem to give a care about it's own employee's health!!
ArgoC
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
Please leave dogs at home. The street surface temperature is 'way hotter than the air temperature, like well above 150 degrees.
Honest Abe
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:07 p.m.
It's so hot out, I don't know how anyone could enjoy walking around the Art Fair. I know July is suppose to be warm and all, but It seems every Art Fair is during a Heat Wave. Every single year.
Linda Peck
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 6:51 p.m.
It seems to me that the heat index, much like the cold index, is not really accurate and is meant, like many media articles, to shock and frighten. I doubt very much if it were truly 105 degrees today that it would feel like the 91 degrees it is right now.
Kea
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 9:35 p.m.
It's better than windchill. Heat index 105 means that it feels as though it is 105 degrees and the dew point is 57 degrees.
A2comments
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:19 p.m.
DId you wear your tinfoil hat when you looked into this? "Not accurate"? http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/heat/index.shtml#heatindex
JRW
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 3:45 p.m.
It's very hot out there. We went to the fair last night and the crowds were nonexistent. Never seen so few visitors to the fair. Artists were hovering inside their tents with very few customers, or they looked bored and were on their iphones. Hopefully if it cools down on Saturday, more people will come out to enjoy the fair. Otherwise, it's very hot and sticky for everyone. Leave small kids and pets at home.
LaMusica
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 3:26 p.m.
Also, please don't bring your pets to Art Fair!! They are cute, but it's so easy for them to get overheated or hurt their paws on the super heated pavement!
Chandelle German
Fri, Jul 19, 2013 : 6:01 p.m.
Don't forget your Grandmas and Grandpas....Keep them inside too.
Samuel Burns
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 11:49 p.m.
Seldon, anyone who even thinks of leaving an animal in a car in this weather, even with the windows cracked, should never ever be allowed to own an animal.
KatiGal
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 9:04 p.m.
I'd like to know why anyone feels it's necessary to bring a dog or a child in a stroller to an Art Fair. If you can't find someone to stay with your child, then stay home!
jrtluvr1959
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 9:03 p.m.
Madeline. That is the problem. They don't think....
Madeline
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
Too late. I just came back and there were NUMEROUS dogs AND BABIES. What on earth are people thinking?
A2comments
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
Art Fair is no place for pets period, regardless of temperature. I don't want your pet nosing my leg, thanks. Too many people and not enough space for the pet.
seldon
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 5:12 p.m.
Oh god, this. And also don't leave them in your car with the windows cracked.
mmb
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 5:08 p.m.
Excellent advice to leave the animals at home. And protect your infants and children too!!
RunsWithScissors
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 5 p.m.
No, no, no! I don't care how many water stations are available. It's much too hot for pets at the Art Fair. Love 'em & leave 'em at home.
JBK
Thu, Jul 18, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
Great point! BUT if you do bring your pets, Liberty street where all of the non-profits are, has plenty of water for your furry friends. Every vendor that I visited yesterday had a huge stock of ice cold water on hand.:)