Second Scorching Day

Connecticut residents are spending a second day trying to stay cool in this oppressive heat by hitting the beaches and pools or just staying inside, enjoying air conditioning. 

The temperature reached 96 at Bradley Airport, tying the record and tomorrow will be hot as well.

Heat will continue into the evening, which will affect high school graduation ceremonies.

Because of the weather, schools are taking precautions to keep grads and their families safe.

This includes providing places with air conditioning, providing water and encouraging people to bring their own water.

The warnings come the day after 26 people were treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration during graduations on Wednesday in Enfield, New Britain and Stamford.

Hot weather is also affecting train service.

Metro-North trains are operating at reduced speeds and customers should anticipate scattered delays.

Thursday started off uncomfortably for almost 1,500 Connecticut Light & Power customers who had no power at one point. Most of the outages were in Hartford, where there were 1,370 reports of outages.

As the Travelers golf championship began in this week Cromwell, doctors and nurses from St. Francis Hospital were ready to treat people for heat sickness. They saw more than 30 people in medical tents by 3 p.m. on Wednesday and more after that.

On Thursday, golf fans were posting on Facebook that they were trying to beat the heat by finding shade under trees.

This has been a busy week so far for air conditioning specialists, many of whom have been fixing cooling systems.

For those with no air conditioning, cities and towns have opened cooling centers or community pools.

As heat lingers, heat and air quality alerts have been issued. The state has extended the air quality alert for Friday for south-central Connecticut and southeastern coast.  

The state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection offer the following tips during extreme high temperatures:

• Slow down, and avoid strenuous activity.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect heat and sunlight and help maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
• Drink plenty of water regularly and often, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Limit intake of alcoholic beverages. They can actually dehydrate your body.
• Eat well-balanced, light, regular meals.
• Stay indoors as much as possible.
• If you do not have air conditioning, stay on your lowest floor, out of the sun. Electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help evaporate sweat, which cools your body.
• Go to a place where you can get relief from the heat, such as air conditioned schools, libraries, theaters, shopping malls, and other community facilities that may offer refuge during the warmest times of the day.
• Cover windows that get morning or afternoon sun with drapes, shades, awnings or louvers. Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80 percent
• Avoid too much sunshine. Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. If you are outside, use sunscreen with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rating.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
• Do not leave pets outside for extended periods. Make sure pets have plenty of drinking water.
• Check on family, friends, and neighbors regularly.

Warning Signs of Heat Stroke:

• Extremely high body temperature (above 103) 
• Unconsciousness
• Dizziness, nausea, confusion
• Red, hot and dry skin
• Rapid pulse
• Throbbing headache

Warning Signs of Heat Exhaustion:

• Heavy sweating
• Muscle cramps
• Weakness
• Headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Paleness, tiredness, dizziness

You can stay up to date with the online forecast from NBC Connecticut meteorologists.

Send your weather photos to photos@nbcconnecticut.com.

Where do you beat the heat in Connecticut? Comment below or on our Facebook page.
 

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