The National Weather Service said the heat wave in Charleston and surrounding areas continued Monday.
Mike Charnick, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston, said the temperature in the Charleston area reached 90 degrees on Thursday, 90 degrees on Friday, 94 degrees on Saturday and 96 degrees on Sunday.
A heat wave is defined as three or more days in which temperatures exceed 90 degrees, he said.
The Charleston area hit a high of 93 degrees Monday. A heat advisory remained in effect until 8 p.m. Monday for several counties, including Kanawha, in southern and western West Virginia.
Charnick said it's possible temperatures could again reach 90 degrees on Tuesday, but right now the high is projected to be 89 degrees.
He projected a high of 91 degrees Wednesday, 88 degrees Thursday and 86 degrees on Friday.
Despite the heat, Brooke Hylbert, Kanawha Metro 911 agency coordinator, said Monday morning that only one heat-related call occurred over the weekend. A dispatcher said Monday afternoon that numerous heat-related calls occurred on Monday, but Hylbert said that dispatcher was mistaken. At about 4 p.m., there still had been only one emergency call related to the heat, Hylbert said.
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also advising employers to protect their workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries by ensuring employees have adequate water, rest and shade. OSHA sent a news release Monday urging employers to schedule frequent water breaks for those working long hours, provide shaded areas and allow workers enough time to rest. More information is available at osha.gov.
Last week, a Charleston meteorologist and health officials also gave some tips about staying safe during the heat wave.
They recommended staying indoors when possible, checking on the elderly, bringing pets inside, and drinking enough water, among other suggestions.
This has been the first heat wave of the summer for the area.
- From staff reports