AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO 7 PM CDT FRIDAY FOR MOST OF IOWA.

* TEMPERATURE…HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 105 TO 115. HIGHS IN THE 90S…LOWS IN THE MID 70S…WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE 70S.

* IMPACTS…EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD LEAD TO SEVERE HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES AND POSSIBLY DEATH IF PROPER ACTION IS NOT TAKEN.

Excessive Heat Warning from 1-p.m. Wed, thru 7-p.m Friday (Counties shaded in pink/mauve); Excessive Heat Watch for counties shaded in deep red

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HOT TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE LIKELY.

CHILDREN…SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS ARE AT HIGHER RISK. RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES AND EXERCISE TO COOLER EVENING HOURS. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER AND TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS TO GET OUT OF THE HEAT AND GET INTO AN AIR CONDITIONED SPACE.

DO NOT LEAVE PETS AND/OR CHILDREN IN UNATTENDED VEHICLES. CAR INTERIORS CAN REACH LETHAL TEMPERATURES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES IN THESE CONDITIONS. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.