Fourth of July heat wave heading to Georgia, Code Orange Air Quality Alert issued
ATLANTA - Fireworks aren't the only thing soaring sky-high this Fourth of July weekend.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s with heat index levels reaching triple digits.
These levels of excessive heat can be extremely dangerous -- especially for children and older adults.
Doctors warn that illnesses like heat exhaustion and heat stroke can happen fast.
"If you feel like you're getting overly tired or fatigued or that you've stopped sweating or sweating as much as you should be for how hot it is, those are some signs that you may be in trouble," UT Health San Antonio's Dr. Ralph Riviello said.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR COOL UNDER THE HOT GEORGIA SUN
To prevent yourself from getting affected by the heat, try to limit your time outdoors; stay hydrated; wear loose clothing; and, if you can, get somewhere cool if you start feeling symptoms.
Along with the heat, a Code Orange Air Quality Alert has been issued for metro Atlanta by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division for Thursday.
This means air quality will be in the unhealthy range for those in sensitive groups.
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Prolonged outdoor exposure for children, people who are sensitive to ozone, and people with heart or lung disease should be limited, especially during the late afternoon and early evening.
Right now, the high humidity is staying away, so while it will be hot into Friday, heat index levels will remain manageable.
Thursday will be sunny, turning partly cloudy overnight. There will be a 10% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. Friday.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR COOL UNDER THE HOT GEORGIA SUN
The chance of storms returns after 2 p.m., but otherwise it will be sunny and hot, with a high near 98. The heat index will be as high as 102.
It will get real steamy on Saturday, with temperatures into the upper 90s and heat index levels topping 100.
A few thunderstorms will return by Sunday and into the Fourth of July.