Triple digit temperatures had people finding any way they could to stay cool. Still, the health of some people was affected by the heat. Fire departments throughout the area were sent on sporadic heat-related medical calls.
Neither Memorial Hospital nor Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center any emergency room visits because of the heat, but Elkhart General Hospital had six patients with heat-relates issues.
"(People need to) limit the amount of time in the heat and you take breaks." Dr. Tom Sweeney of the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center said.
It's been several years since South Bend has hit 100 degrees. But for many places throughout the country, 100 is normal.
So why is it such a big deal here?
Dr. Sweeney says that's because our bodies just aren't used to it.
"It takes about two weeks to get adjusted to heat." he said. "So when you have a heat wave of a couple of days, you don't have the ability to adjust to it."
Friday forecast
Mostly sunny for our Friday with highs in the lower 90's. An Air Quality Action Day is in effect for much of our area including South Bend. If you have respiratory or circulatory issues you should avoid outdoor exertion. Partly cloudy Friday night with a slight chance of a stray shower or a thunderstorm. Lows will be in the lower 70's to around 70.
Air Quality Action Day
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management declared Friday an Air Quality Action Day for St. Joseph, LaPorte and Elkhart counties.
Weather conditions have been forecast conducive to high ozone pollution.
It is recommended people:
- Bike, walk, carpool or ride the bus;
- Conserve fuel by combining trips;
- Refuel their car in the evening and reduce idling time.
