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It's going to be hot out there, Idaho. Here are tips for staying cool.

A heat advisory is going into effect on Tuesday at 12 p.m. and remains in effect until Wednesday, with triple digit temperatures expected this week. Ontario, Oregon is expected to see the highest temperature with a high of 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Heat advisories are not unusual in Idaho, with the National Weather Service issuing them frequently throughout the summer. A heat advisoryis when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100 degrees or higher for at least two days and night time air temperatures do not drop below 75 degrees.

Triple-digit temps feel pretty familiar to certain parts of Idaho – there were 27 days of 100+ degree temperatures in 2022, which the National Weather Service says is an all-time record. The previous record was 20 days, set in 2003.

Idaho has already seen a heat-related death this year, a person between 40 and 60 years old died of heat stroke when hiking a strenuous route in southern Idaho, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Temperatures were in the 90s and there was not a lot of shade in the area.

Keeping cool in heat like this should be top of mind, for yourself and your community. Heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities, according to the National Weather Service.

An infographic about practicing heat safety that advises to stay hydrated, keep in the shade or indoors, don't leave kids or pets in vehicles, and limit strenuous actives outdoors.
NWS

During extreme heat warnings, remember:

  • Stay indoors, with air conditioning when possible
  • Drink plenty of water
  • When outside, limit sun exposure & seek out shade
  • Avoid strenuous activities
  • Wear light or loose-fitting clothing
  • Check on family and neighbors

Extreme heat can also affect our infrastructure – think irrigation, agriculture, transportation and electricity.

Tips from Idaho Power to keep your home cool:

  • Ceiling fans can make the air feel several degrees cooler.
  • Make sure your fan is spinning counterclockwise in the summer to create a downdraft to maximize the cooling sensation
  • But remember: fans cool people, not rooms. Turn them off when you leave the room.
  • Cover windows with drapes or shades
  • Use appliances that create heat (think: oven, dryer, dishwasher) in the early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest times of the day.
  • Or don't use those hot appliances at all! Consider grilling on the porch or line-drying your laundry outside.
  • To cool down, take a cool shower or wear lightweight clothing, rather than cranking the AC.
  • If you're leaving your house for a few days, turn off the air conditioning.

Prolonged exposure to heat can result in heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Know the signs of heat-related illnesses:

Text equivalent of heat-related illnesses.

At-risk populations for heat-related illness include

  • Older individuals
  • Pregnant women
  • Newborns
  • Children
  • Individuals experiencing homelessness
  • Those with underlying health conditions
  • Pets
An infographic explaining the populations vulnerable to heat impacts: pregnant women, newborns, children, elderly, chronic illness.
NWS