Residents urged to take caution during weekend heat wave

Published 12:05 am Friday, August 7, 2015

NATCHEZ — Temperatures this weekend are set to soar into the 100-plus degree range, sneaking up toward the all-time high temperature of 105 for Natchez, said an official with the National Weather Service in Jackson.

With the heat index, which means taking into account the effects of humidity, temperatures could feel like upwards of 110, said Alan Campbell, National Weather Service meteorologist.

“We have a stubborn high pressure system that has just parked itself across the region. We really don’t see any relief right now, though isolated showers and storms could pop up across the area,” he said.

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Campbell predicts a high for today in the upper 90s and for Saturday and Sunday, highs of 100 degrees.

“Once you factor in the humidity, conditions for conditions are comparable to 105 to 110 degrees. Sunday looks to be the hottest day of the weekend. On Monday, we’re looking at a high of 101. With humidity factored in, we’re talking about 110 degrees,” he said.

The lack of rain recently is contributing to escalating temperatures.

“Those numbers are going to escalate across the area because we have such dry ground conditions. The ground doesn’t absorb that much heat. The heat just reflects off the ground back into the atmosphere,” Campbell said.

He said computer models of upcoming weather patterns “are trying to show a system coming in the middle of next week, but I’d take that with a grain of salt because it’s so far out.”

Record highs for Natchez are: Aug. 7, 102; Aug. 8, 103; Aug. 9, 105; and Aug. 10, 100 — all in 1935. The all-time high temperature for Natchez was 105 on Aug. 9, 1935.

David Gaude of Conrad Anderson, an HVAC company in Natchez, said his company has been busy for the last month because of high temperatures.

“It didn’t need to get any hotter,” he said.

Natchez Fire Department Battalion Chief David Williams said extreme temperatures could be rough on Natchez firefighters.

“There’s not a lot we can do, except rotate the firefighters out more often, use them for shorter lengths or time. If you don’t the equipment will fail you and you’ll have a problem yourself,” Williams said. “We continuously have to have lots of fluids and cool rest areas, somewhere they can cool down while they are on their break.”

Another danger for firefighters during extremely hot, dry weather is brush fires.

“It hasn’t really been that bad yet —yet,” he said.

Adams County is under a burn ban until Aug. 31.

He urged Natchez and Adams County residents to take care of themselves while out in hot temperatures.

“The main thing is getting more fluids,” he said.