PANAMA CITY — We’re having a heat wave — a dangerous one forecasted to last through the weekend.
“This is our first heat advisory for the season,” said Don Harrigan, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Tallahassee.
A weather service advisory said dangerous heat that began Thursday will continue through Sunday, scorching the entire Panhandle, southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. The NWS predicts the temperature in Panama City to be 97 to day and Saturday and a few degrees hotter inland. The high in Marianna Saturday is expected to be 101.
The heat indexacross the region could climb up to 109 degrees on Thursday, 110 on Friday and Saturday, and 107 on Sunday, according to the advisory.
The four-day stretch of excess heat calls for warm overnight lows and less daily thunderstorm activity.
Harrington said the heat index will peak on Friday and Saturday with moist air, sunny skies and weak winds conspiring to create extra hazardous conditions.
He also said 100-degree temperatures are not uncommon this time of year, but coupling high temperatures with moist air increases the intensity.
Sweltering heat already has created an issue for Bay High School students and employees going back to school this week.
Lee Walters, maintenance supervisor of Bay District Schools, said the heat had taxed the air conditioning system at the district’s central air conditioning plant, causing breakers to trip. The malfunction caused outages at the school on Wednesday.
Maintenance was working on the problem Thursday morning.
“Everything but a couple of classrooms is back online,” Walters said, adding that administration is working to keep students out of the affected classrooms until the problem is resolved.
Locals are urged to take precautions, such as staying hydrated, avoiding strenuous outdoor activities and not leaving pets and children in hot cars.
“When you get to temperatures as high as we’re talking, the adverse effects can develop quickly,” Harrigan said.
Beat the Heat
Slow down: Reduce strenuous activity
Stay hydrated:
Dress for summer: Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight
Spend more time in air conditioning: Take
Don’t get too much sun: Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat
Hot Thursday
Highs through 5 p.m. CDT (temperature, maximum heat index):
Marianna: 96, 107
NW Fla. Beaches Int’l: 94, 106
Tyndall AFB: 91, 109
Source: National Weather Service
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Forecasters have issued a heat advisory for much of the Florida Panhandle through Saturday night.
With highs in the 90s and high humidity, the heat index through the weekend will rise quickly into the 100s, with 110-degree heat indices likely in some spots, according to the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, which is offering tips to anyone who has to be outdoors for more than a few people.
Check back later for more details.