Steamy Weekend Ahead: Heat Watch Covers Most of Minnesota

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A mass of hot and steamy air is forecast to blanket much of the Upper Midwest this weekend.

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Watch for the Rochester area and nearly the rest of the state. An Extreme Heat Warning has already been issued for the far southeastern corner of Minnesota, while the far northwestern corner is currently expected to be spared from the heatwave. The Excessive Heat Watch in the Rochester area will be in effect from noon on Saturday until 9 PM on Sunday.

Forecasters say the heat will likely arrive on Friday in some areas and settle across southeastern Minnesota on Saturday. The National Weather Service is predicting air temperatures in the mid-90s and heat index values of 95° to 105° on both Saturday and Sunday. The nighttime hours are not expected to offer much relief, with overnight lows forecast between 75° and 80°.

With sunny skies predicted for much of the weekend, forecasters say anyone planning to spend significant time outdoors should be aware of the symptoms of heat illness. According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of heat exhaustion include cool, moist skin with goosebumps while in the heat, heavy sweating, faintness, dizziness, fatigue, a weak and rapid pulse, low blood pressure upon standing, muscle cramps, nausea, and headaches.

The Mayo Clinic website recommends contacting a medical professional if symptoms worsen or do not improve within one hour. Immediate medical attention is needed if a person becomes confused or distressed, loses consciousness, or is unable to drink.

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