Community Corner

Baby, It's Hot Outside—And It's Going to Stay That Way All Week!


It's just after 6 a.m. and the National Weather Service (NWS) was reporting it was 77 degrees and the humidity was at 88 percent in Stamford on Monday.

And that's probably the coolest it's going to be all day.

Brace yourselves, it's going to be another hot, sticky week, according to the NWS forecast. And there isn't any rain in sight. The NWS has issued a heat advisory through 8 p.m. Monday, July 15.

And the City of Stamford Director of Health and Social Services Anne Fountain issued an extreme heat alert that will remain in effect through Wednesday, July 17. 

The city has designated cooling centers:
  • Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Stamford Fire Department Headquarters, 629 Main St., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Long Ridge Fire Company, 366 Old Long Ridge Rd., 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It is also recommended residents visit other public areas with air conditioning such as the Ferguson Library and its branches, shopping centers and the Stamford Town Center.

According to the NWS, a heat advisory is "Issued within 12 hours of the onset of the following conditions: heat index of at least 105°F but less than 115°F for less than 3 hours per day, or nighttime lows above 80°F for 2 consecutive days."

Here's the forecast for this week:
  • Today: Sunny...hot with highs in the mid 90s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Heat index values in the upper 90s. 
  • Tonight: Mostly clear. Humid with lows in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. 
  • Tuesday: Sunny...hot with highs in the mid 90s. North winds 5 to 10 mph. Heat index values in the upper 90s. 
  • Tuesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. 
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Hot. Humid with highs in the lower 90s. North winds around 5 mph...becoming west in the afternoon. Heat index values in the mid 90s in the afternoon. 
  • Wednesday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 70s. 
  • Thursday: Mostly sunny. Hot with highs in the lower 90s. Heat index values in the upper 90s. 
  • Thursday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening...then clearing. Lows in the lower 70s. 
  • Friday: Mostly sunny. Hot with highs in the lower 90s. Heat index values in the upper 90s. 
  • Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 70s. 
  • Saturday: Partly sunny with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Hot with highs around 90. Chance of rain 30 percent. Heat index values in the mid 90s. 
  • Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.
Stay cool by visiting public buildings or facilities that are air conditioned such as the Greenwich Library and any of its branches in Byram and Cos Cob or the Perrot Memorial Library in Old Greenwich, or the Greenwich Senior/Arts Center.

Know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke. They include:

  • Body temperature greater than or equal to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Skin that is hot and dry with red spots.
  • Mental confusion.
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Convulsions

Note: If you are experiencing these symptoms, dial 911 or visit a hospital emergency room.

Be Prepared for the Extreme Heat Conditions:

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  • Have the phone number of your family doctor clearly posted next to your phone (and stored in your cellular phone).
  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him/her how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Don’t drink liquids that contain caffeine, alcohol, or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the movies, shopping mall, public library, or a friend’s house/apartment with air conditioning–even a few hours spent in an air conditioned environment can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat .(See listing of designated cooling centers below)
  • Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave any person or pet in a closed, parked vehicle.
  • Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children need much more frequent watching.
  • If you must be out in the heat, limit your outdoor activity to early morning and evening hours. Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels).


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