Hot in the Shade: Mid-Ohio Valley sweating out heat wave until weekend

PARKERSBURG -- Portions of the area saw brief showers Wednesday afternoon, but longer relief from this week's sweltering and dry conditions isn't anticipated until Saturday.

A cold front is expected to pass through the area Saturday, said Andy Roche, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.

"That's going to bring precipitation and cooler temperatures behind it for Sunday and the beginning of the week," he said. "We'll have relief behind the cold front Saturday for the new week."

While high temperatures Wednesday, today and Friday were projected in the upper 90s, they drop, relatively speaking, to 88 on Saturday with a 70% chance of showers. After a predicted high of 87 Sunday, the upper range moves to the lower 80s Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Chris Dellinger, director of emergency, trauma and ICU services at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, said if someone needs to be outside, try to do so during certain times of day.

"If you're outside during the early morning hours or late evening hours, the heat is less intense," she said.

This is especially of importance with kids back to school and after-school sports and activities that are outdoors. It is very important to take frequent breaks and hydrate as much as possible. However, if one needs to work outside, they can lessen the impact in different ways, Dellinger said.

"If you're in the heat, wear light colors. Dark colors absorb the heat. Also wear loose fitting clothing," she said.

Dellinger also recommends not remaining in a parked car for a long period of time, even with the air conditioner on.

Because of the heat, Wood County Schools Superintendent Christie Willis said the district sent out emails to elementary principals Wednesday morning notifying them to release all of their students at the same time at the end of the school day rather than the usual staggered release most do.

"We didn't want one group of students sitting on the buses waiting for the next to be released," Willis said. "It's just too hot for that."

Cindi Taylor, coordinator of middle school athletic programs, was reaching out to surrounding districts to notify them all middle school football scrimmages were canceled, Willis said.

A representative for Memorial Health System said that despite the high temperatures, there had not been an uptick in heat-related illnesses at their emergency departments.