JACKSON - The heat is on in Mississippi this week as summer temperatures rise to higher than normal levels, weather officials say.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the entire state through today. Afternoon heat indexes are expected to reach up to 115 degrees in some portions of the state.
A heat index is the combination of what heat and humidity feels like on the skin.
Jim Butch, a warning coordination meteorologist with NWS, said some parts of the state will be hotter than others.
"Towns in the Delta are usually warmer because it has so much exposed dirt, which holds more solar radiation than the grassy areas," he said.
The normal temperature for Jackson this time of year is 91 degrees. Tuesday, the temperature reached 94 degrees and is expected to get higher today.
Butch said even though temperatures will be higher than normal this week, it's not unusual to have high readings in the summer.
"This is the middle of July in Mississippi. We've actually been spoiled the last couple of years because we had relatively cool summers," he said. "Last summer, we had so much rain, we were only able to reach 97 degrees all last summer."
Since the summer of 2000, the temperature has only been over 100 degrees 27 times in the state, Butch said.
Laura Adcock, the owner of Laura's Lawn Service in Braxton, said in her line work she has to dress lightly and drink lots of water to keep from getting too hot.
She said she and her team cut around 30 yards a day and they begin in the morning before temperatures rise.
"We sometimes cut in the rain to help us cool off," Adcock said.
Health care professionals warn being exposed to high temperatures could lead to sickness or possible death.
In Mississippi in 2004, there have been three heat-related deaths. Six people died from the heat in the summer of 2003 and there were 15 deaths in 2000.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that family members and neighbors keep a close eye on the elderly, the handicapped and children.
Paul Bracy, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, at University Medical Center, said people taking certain medications could be more prone to getting a heat-related illness.
"The most important way to avoid a heat-related illness is to avoid the heat and stay in air conditioning and drinking fluids," he said. "People need to consult with their physicians to see if there medications could be effected by the heat."
Bob Yarbrough, the director of communications and development with Hinds County Human Resource Agency, said in a partnership with Entergy, 350 fans have been given out this month to needy residents. A few more remain, but are going to be given to the elderly.
"We try to address our elderly and the vulnerable populations, especially families with small children," he said.
Yarbrough said his clients are accustomed to getting a fan each year.
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