News

Actions

Hazardous heat warnings issued for large parts of Utah

Posted at 8:05 PM, Jun 26, 2013
and last updated 2013-06-26 22:12:20-04

UTAH – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather warning for large portions of Utah as temperatures are expected to reach triple digits for several days.

A heat advisory was issued Wednesday afternoon for Glen Canyon Recreation Area, Lake Powell, South Central Utah, Utah’s Dixie and Zion National Park. It was expected to remain in effect through July 1 at 9 p.m.  Click here for the latest weather warning information from the NWS.

According to the advisory, temperatures could reach 115 degrees in the St. George area Friday, Saturday and Sunday with highs of about 110 degrees Monday.

Emergency Room Doctor Troy Madsen said people need to be careful when temperatures are this high. He said people can feel light-headed, confused or like they are about to pass out when heat related illnesses take hold. Madsen said heat exhaustion can quickly turn into heat stroke.

“That’s when the body temperature really gets up there, maybe around 105 degrees, and people are passing out,” he said. “They’re really confused. They may not be responsive.”

According to the Utah State Health Department, in the last 10 years heat related injuries have sent about 1,300 Utahns to an emergency room, hospitalized another 80 and killed 11. Most of the fatalities were children left in hot cars.

Click here for more information about heat-related illnesses as well as tips for preventing them.

Related story: Experts discuss dangers of heat exhaustion after scout master’s death