Take It Easy In The HeatTemperatures today are expected to be in the lower 90s and humidity levels will reach in the upper 90s.
Local health, weather, and pet professionals are advising people and animals people should stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor activities.
Indiana environmental officials say high ozone levels are poised to cover most of the state as hot, sunny weather cooks up smoggy conditions, according to the Associated Press.Officials issued an advisory warning that high levels of the noxious ground-level gas will form today over all of Indiana's metropolitan areas except for Terre Haute in western Indiana.
Ozone forms when car exhaust, industrial emissions and gasoline vapors are cooked by heat and sunlight.
It irritates the lungs and can cause breathing difficulties and coughing spells in people sensitive to poor air quality. Children, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions are most vulnerable.
Health officials say reducing or avoiding exertion or heavy outdoor work can help people avoid health problems during smoggy periods.
Jeff Logsdon, science and operations officer for the National Weather Service of Northern Indiana, said it is essential for humans and pets to stay hydrated.
Logsdon said the heat index by the late afternoon will approach the upper 90s and areas south and west of Warsaw could reach to 100 degrees.
Logsdon said normal highs for this time of year are in the 80s, but today is expected to reach 10 degrees higher that the average temperature.
"The heat we are having this time of year is not abnormal," Logsdon said.
Temperatures are expected to continue to be warm and muggy tonight with a chance of thunderstorms after midnight.
He said the most direct sunlight is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and temperatures peak from 3 to 5 p.m. when humans and pets should limit outdoor activities.
He said today should be the warmest day this week and showers are projected tomorrow with highs from 80 to 95 degrees.
This weekend temperatures are expected to be in the 85 to 90 degree range and the humidity will be at a more comfortable level.
Bob Weaver, Kosciusko County Health Department administrator, said it is important for people to drink atleast a quart of water per hour when the temperatures are as hot as they will be today.
Weaver said people with breathing and other health problems should stay in air conditioning.
"It is difficult for the body to cool when the humidity levels are high," Weaver said.
He said animals should be kept in the shade and have plenty of water.
Dr. Richard Brungardt, Lakeland Animal Clinic of Lake Wawasee, also advised that animals need plenty of food, shade, and water.
Brungardt said animals can get heat stroke and should limit activity.
He also advised children to be careful during the heat of the day when playing with their pets outdoors.
Indiana Health Officials advise people to drink plenty of cool water, avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures, and attempt to get in air conditioning.
Other tips are to use fans as a source of relief when there is low humidity, cool down with cool baths or showers, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, slow down normal paces, avoid alcohol, and draw shades, blinds, and curtains in rooms exposed to direct sunlight.
State health officials also advise children to not be left in parked vehicles even with windows cracked open.
Heat cramps are muscular pains in the abdomen, legs, and arms that occur from strenuous activity and increased sweating. Heat exhaustion can develop after several days of high temperatures and low fluid intake.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening situation in which the body is unable to regulate its temperature and cannot cool itself down.
