DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708180252

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  159 lines

IN NORFOLK, 97 IS FOR RECORD BOOKS TODAY'S RECORD, 98 IN '88, COULD BE BUSTED.

Hey, come February, you'll miss this.

On Saturday, however, thoughts of a brisk, chilly wind might have been inviting. But a snowflake wouldn't have stood a chance, as the mercury pushed into record-setting territory, topping off in the upper 90s.

The high of 97 at the National Weather Service office at Norfolk International Airport bested the old record of 96 for the date, set 97 years earlier. And today's record - 98 set in 1988 - might be in jeopardy.

The heat index Saturday bubbled well over the century mark: 109 in Virginia Beach, 110 in Norfolk, 113 in Franklin and Newport News and 120 in Petersburg.

``I know it's summer, but this . . . ,'' said Janice Reese, 25, of Virginia Beach after an afternoon softball practice was cut short. ``We were wilting. No one had any energy. You'd watch the pitch and be thinking, `If I hit this, I gotta run.' No one would swing.''

It was a day to define sweltering. And today should be a hot laser copy.

High pressure over the Atlantic Ocean, just off the mid-Atlantic coast, will maintain a hot and humid air mass over the Southeast into the beginning of next week.

Today should be mostly sunny, very hot and humid, with a high in the upper 90s to near 100. Tonight is expected to be partly cloudy with a low barely dipping below 80.

Monday will likely see a high in the low 90s under partly sunny skies, with a chance of a shower and an overnight low in the 70s.

Not until Tuesday will the humidity begin to retreat to more normal levels, the Weather Service said.

Several other records also were set Saturday throughout the East:

102 at National Airport in Washington, smashing the old record of 95 set in 1995.

101 at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, well above the previous record of 96 set in 1951.

100 at Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia, surpassing the record of 98 set in 1965.

98 in Philadelphia, breaking the old mark of 95 set in 1938.

A heat advisory is in effect through today for much of central and eastern Virginia, the lower Maryland Eastern Shore and interior northeastern North Carolina.

``Afternoon temperatures in the upper 90s to near 100 degrees, combined with dewpoint readings in the lower and middle 70s, will result in heat indicies between 105 to 110 degrees in the advisory area this weekend,'' said Bryan Cullen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Wakefield.

``Be prepared for dangerous heat and humidity levels while outdoors,'' Cullen said. ``Prolonged exposure combined with physical activity can cause heat exhaustion and heat stroke.''

For those whose livelihoods depend on being outdoors, such weather can pose a challenge. Even those with a ready means of relief - the nearby ocean - must take care.

``We recommend that our crews bring a jug of water,'' said Kent Hinnant, captain of the Virginia Beach Life Saving Service. ``And we have umbrellas at all the lifeguard stands. Some beaches just make their guards sit out there with a wide-brimmed hat and sort of bake. We give ours that shade.''

And when that isn't enough, guards are encouraged to take a dip in the ocean - after they radio their comrades on either side of their stand to watch over their patrol area.

For those who are on the beach to play, the excessively hot weather also poses some threats.

Many people fail to use a strong enough sunblock, especially on young children, Hinnant said. Many also don't keep good tabs on whether children are getting enough fluids - of the proper types.

``The kids just can't take as much of this as an adult,'' he said. ``Their systems don't regulate as well. We see a lot that don't look too happy'' after a day on the beach.

Folks also tend to think that the hottest weather of the day is around noon when, most often, it's around mid-afternoon.

And as heat takes its toll on adults, and they slow down or doze off, many lose track of children. By 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Hinnant's guards had already handled 35 missing children reports - many related to adults who lost track of the youngsters.

All that said, Hinnant was quick to say that the beach will be the place to be today.

``It's beautiful. The water is a nice blue green, the surf is very gentle with hardly any swell. And the water temperature is about 76,'' he said. ``And the breeze coming across the water has made it cooler.''

Anyone complaining that it's too hot should consider this weather ``a blessing,'' he said. ``These may be the last true beach days of the season. It could change very quickly.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

NHAT MEYER/The Virginian-Pilot

The heat index of 110 didn't keep postal worker Marvin Burch from

delivering mail Saturday in Ocean View.

Graphics

THE FORECAST: Today, mostly sunny and humid with a high in the

upper 90s to near 100. Tonight, a low near 80.

HEAT SAFETY RULES

Hot and humid weather takes a toll on your body. Even people in

excellent physical condition experience fatigue and dehydration more

quickly than when it is cooler.

When the Heat Index gets above 90, it's time to take some

precautions. You can reduce your chance of heat-related medical

problems and heat-related death by following some simple heat safety

rules:

Slow down - Complete necessary tasks at a slower pace; strenuous

activities should be reduced, eliminated or rescheduled to the

coolest time of the day, usually shortly after sunrise. Individuals

at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily

indoors.

Dress right - Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat

and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.

Eat smart - Foods (like proteins) that increase metabolic heat

production also increase water loss.

Drink - Consume plenty of water or other non-alcoholic fluids,

even if you don't feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool.

People who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease; are on

fluid-restrictive diets; or have a problem with fluid retention

should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of

fluids.

Skip alcohol - Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Although beer

and alcoholic beverages appear to satisfy thirst, they actually

cause further body dehydration.

Salt? - Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.

People on salt-restrictive diets should consult a physician before

increasing their salt intake. Others may want to eat salty foods

after extensive sweating.

Cool it - Since the effects of heat can be cumulative, avoid

remaining in a hot environment for extended periods. Air

conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger

from the heat. If you do not have air conditioning, visit a store or

a restaurant for a few hours each day.

Seek shade - Minimize exposure to the sun. Sunburn makes the job

of heat dissipation that much more difficult.

Protect others - Check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and

don't forget your pets.

Warning - NEVER lock children, pets or the infirm in a vehicle.

In minutes, the temperature can soar to deadly levels. Even leaving

a window open a crack will not make up for the increased heat in a

car left in the sun.

Cool off slowly - A cold shower immediately after coming in from

hot temperatures can result in hypothermia, particularly for elderly

and very young people. Slow down.

Red flags - Be aware of the symptoms of heat stress and

immediately rest in a cool environment if you recognize any in

yourself. If you experience easy fatigue, headaches, profuse

sweating, muscle cramps, or weakness, stop physical activity and

consider seeking medical attention. Know these heat disorder

symptoms:

Sunburn - Redness and pain. In severe cases swelling of skin,

blisters, fever and headaches.

Heat cramps - Painful spasms, usually in muscles of legs and

abdomen. Heavy sweating.

Heat exhaustion - Heavy sweating, weakness, skin cold, pale and

clammy. Fainting and vomiting. Normal temperature possible.

Heat or sun stroke - High body temperature (106 or higher). Hot,

dry skin. Rapid and strong pulse. Possible loss of consciousness.

Sources: National Weather Service, Federal Emergency Management

Agency, American Red Cross.

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