Are You Ready For a Sizzling Hot Weekend?

Following a week of blisteringly hot days and only slightly cooler nights, the weekend looks to provide more of the same for the area for the next few days.

The National Weather Service is predicting a high temperature for today of 84 degrees with even higher levels to be reached over the weekend. The low temperature will only be around 72 degrees tonight before spiking back up to near 95 degrees in Long Branch and 98 degrees on Saturday.

With the heat index it will likely feel closer to 103 on Saturday and even a chance of thunderstorms on Saturday night will not provide much relief for the area. Even after the rain passes, the high on Sunday figures to be around 86 before finally dipping down to close to 69 Sunday night. 

It does not look like next week will be a whole lot better with highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's straight through to Thursday.

Dr. Dimitri Cefalu, Seabrook Village, a retirement community in Tinton Falls, said everybody from seniors to young children should take precautions this weekend.

"Whenever there is a heat emergency, try to plan activities for the coolest times of the day, stay hydrated and if you are outdoors, keep up with your salt and water intake," Dr. Cefalu said. "Be mindful of the potential that you can get dehydrated or suffer heat stroke."

Dr. Cefalu said a major indicator of dehydration is a decrease in urination.

He said seniors have to follow all of the same precautions as other age groups, but with some added concerns.

"Many of them are on heart medication and diuretics and they can get behind on their fluids," Dr. Cefalu said.

He said some live alone and can be isolated so they are more vulnerable in the event of a power outage.

"Checking on them during these times is a good idea," Dr. Cefalu said.

Dr. Cefalu said small children are as vulnerable as seniors during heat emergencies and that parents should be extra vigilant when watching them.

He said there can also be psychological effects from the heat including "road rage."

"People's tempers are shorter and they are more easily stressed and frustrated," Dr. Cefalu said. "It's also a semi-holiday weekend, so the roads will be more crowded."