ESPYVILLE — “Ouch ... ouch ... ouch ...” one teen quietly groaned, announcing a message from her bare feet with every step (well, sort of hop) she took across the hot sand at Conneaut Lake’s Fireman’s Beach on Friday afternoon.

Another kid, doing a hot-step across some pavement on his way there, planted his feet inside a beach towel and started hopping along too, looking like he was in some sort of sack race — minus the sack, and the race.

Along with everyone else, here and just about everywhere else in the Midwestern and Eastern U.S., they were just trying to beat the heat, which continued scorching the region Friday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for Crawford County and surrounding areas while weather and health experts advised the public on conditions and ways to stay cool and safe.

National Weather Service reported the day’s high temperature at 91 degrees, with a heat index (how it really “felt” based on humidity and dewpoint numbers) at a sizzling 102. Record high for the day was 93 degrees, set in 1988. The forecast is calling for 93 degrees today.

According to a short-range forecast issued Friday by officials at the National Weather Service’s Maryland-based weather prediction center, “record-breaking heat will continue to make headlines, especially (today) as the core of the heat wave will lie over the Ohio Valley and middle-Atlantic states. Widespread excessive heat warnings and advisories continue to be issued across the Midwest and east coast.”

Public beach areas around Conneaut Lake were very busy, Tribune reporters observed; as were the pools at Meadville Area Recreation Complex. At the MARC, which expects another busy day today, Friday’s attendance was 533, well above the average weekday attendance.

WICU-12 meteorologists, who provide weather forecasts for The Meadville Tribune, predicted a cool-down beginning late tonight as the massive high-pressure system responsible for the heat wave is expected to shift westward.

Until that happens, though, health experts are continuing to remind everyone to take simple steps — taking it easy and drinking plenty of water are key — to prevent hot weather-related illnesses, specifically heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“Temperatures may feel over 100 degrees or more in many areas, so taking the proper precautions against heat-related illness (is) very important,” state Department of Health Secretary Dr. Eli Avila said in a news release issued Friday.

While children and the elderly are at the greatest risks for health problems from the heat, healthy people at any age may suffer when their bodies are unable to handle the high temperatures, department officials said.

Also, they said, poor air quality — often associated with hot weather — can add to an extra-hot day’s health risks. That’s because ground-level ozone (a key component of smog) forms during hot weather, caused by pollution from vehicles, industrial buildings, households and power plants effectively baking in the hot sun.

That said, here are some tips from state health experts on how to stay safe and cool while the summer heat’s on:

-Stay indoors in air conditioning as much as possible;

-Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to do so. Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol or large amounts of sugar — they can cause dehydration;

-Limit most outside activity to morning and evening hours, and try to rest often in shady areas;

-Dress in light-colored, loose-fitting clothing and consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses;

-Use a sunscreen of SPF15 or higher;

-Check on those who may be more at risk from high temperatures (like infants, children and older individuals); and

-Never leave your children or pets in vehicles.



Ryan Smith can be reached at 724-6370 or by email at rsmith@meadvilletribune.com.



How hot is it?

Friday’s high: 91

Heat index: 102

Record: 93 (1988)

Today’s forecast: 93