Excessive heat warning for southern, central Minnesota
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Minnesota could set some heat records this week, as the next few days could bring us the first 100-degree day in August in 35 years for the Twin Cities.
The National Weather Service has posted excessive heat warnings that go into effect Tuesday morning for the southern half of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. Heat indexes could top 110 degrees Tuesday. Those warnings run through Wednesday night and will be followed by advisories for slightly cooler temps on Thursday.
“Our record highs the next few days are about 97 to 98 degrees so we could break some of those (records),” said MPR News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard. “But hitting 100, we've only done once in the last 75 years.”
Sundgaard said the last time was in 1988. And the all-time August temperature record for the Twin Cities is 103.
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Heat exhaustion can develop after exposure to high temperatures and inadequate intake of fluids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The elderly, children, those with high blood pressure and people working or exercising in a hot environment are most prone to this condition.
Conserving energy for the grid
As temperatures reach into the 90s Tuesday for parts of Minnesota, Xcel Energy asks everyone with air conditioning to raise their thermostats. Xcel says to reduce demand, people should raise indoor temperatures by two to four degrees between the hours of 3 p.m and 7 p.m.
Keeping cool in dangerous heat
People in the Minneapolis area looking to cool off over the next couple of days can find respite at a number of city parks.
The city has 59 wading pools, 12 beaches, two water parks and one natural swimming pool.
Larry Umphrey with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board said the city has lost some of its lifeguards, who've gone back to college or started fall sports. Because of that, they've shortened hours at several facilities.
"We're down to 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., just because we just don't have the bodies to keep open as long anymore.” Umphrey said. “So it definitely has an effect on what we're able to guard, but we are happy that we are able to keep all of our water parks open. They are open every day for our patrons … and even if our beaches aren't guarded, they're still open for the public to use."
The city also has 30 air-conditioned buildings for people to cool down in.
Ramsey County keeps a map of cooling centers around St. Paul and nearby cities that serve as cooling stations, including recreation centers, shopping areas, libraries, beaches and the Salvation Army.
Cancellations from high temperatures
The Anoka-Hennepin School District will restrict high school activities due to high heat advisories. The district sent a notice to families of students in Andover, Anoka, Blaine, Champlin Park and Coon Rapids high schools that both outdoor and indoor activities be completed before noon Tuesday and noon Wednesday.
The city of Minnetonka announced on Twitter Monday that with excessive heat, the Minnetonka Farmers Market, which opens on Tuesdays from early June to late September, will be canceled this week.