ST. GEORGE — With three weeks of summer officially remaining, it appears as if warm weather is going to stick around Southern Utah – at least through Labor Day weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning – from noon Thursday through 8 p.m. Monday – for lower Washington County and specifically for St. George, Hurricane, Ivins and Zion National Park, according to a news release from the weather service.
A warning released Friday by the weather service included Glen Canyon Recreation Area and Lake Powell and includes the cities of Big Water and Bullfrog.
The weather service also suggests the following:
Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities. … Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside.
When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
Daytime temperatures could reach 110 degrees Farenheit, with overnight lows in the low 70s. Relief from rain is not expected as the forecast calls for mostly clear skies with occasional cloud cover, according to the NWS forecast.
Additionally, the expected UV Index calls for high-to-very high exposure levels for the duration of the heat warning.
The Environmental Protection Agency recommends utilizing the “Shadow Rule” to measure UV exposure as follows:
- If your shadow is taller than you are (in the early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be lower.
- If your shadow is shorter than you are (around midday), you are being exposed to higher levels of UV radiation. Seek shade and protect your skin and eyes.
“The amount of UV exposure you get depends on both the strength of the sun’s rays – measured by the UV Index – and the length of the time your skin is exposed to it,” said American Cancer Society Scientific Director in Surveillance Research Farhad Islami, MD, PhD, the lead author of a study about the leading causes of melanoma.
The EPA definition of moderate-to-high UV exposure states: “Protection needed. Seek shade during late morning through mid-afternoon. When outside, generously apply broad-spectrum SPF-15 or higher sunscreen on exposed skin, and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.”
Very high-to-extreme UV exposure is defined as follows: “Extra protection needed. Be careful outside, especially during late morning through mid-afternoon. If your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, and generously apply a minimum of SPF-15, broad-spectrum sunscreen on exposed skin.”
Avoiding over-exposure isn’t an exact science and actually might require one simple step.
“You can’t change the UV Index, but you can change how long you’re outside and how you protect your skin,” Islami said.
Click here to access daily UV Index predictions for Southern Utah.
Click here to access the National Weather Service web page for the most up-to-date weather information.
Updated Sept. 1 at 8:48 a.m., The weather service extended the area of the advisory to include Zion National Park.
Updated Sept. 2 at 9:51 a.m., The weather service extended the affected area to include Glen Canyon Recreation Area and surrounding cities.
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