Turn on the AC, stay hydrated, stay home: How to protect yourself in Nashville's heat wave
Turn your air conditioner up this week, it's about to get warmer than Nashville hot chicken as temperatures could reach dangerous levels with heat indexes forecast up to 113 degrees.
Thursday and Friday, air temperatures will hover around 100 degrees, and Nashville and the majority of Middle Tennessee will be under an excessive heat warning Thursday and Friday with heat indexes between 105 and 115.
Saturday's high could reach 98 degrees, according to a National Weather Service Nashville forecast.
A cold front heading in Sunday will offer a reprieve from the excessive heat coming through Middle Tennessee.
Then again, that break will include high temperatures around 91 degree, according to NWS.
NWS tweeted sound advice this week, encouraging Middle Tennesseans to make sure their air conditioner is working in advance of the warm spell. And if you don't have one, become friends with someone who does, because it will be dangerously hot.
As excessive heat comes to Middle Tennessee, agencies throughout the area are preparing for power outages, medical emergencies and other ways to help protect citizens.
After a weekend of difficult forecasting, we are thrilled to forecast a few quiet days with normal temperatures. Looking ahead to late week, if your AC is struggling, now is the time to get it fixed. If you don't have AC, now is the time to become friends with somebody who does. pic.twitter.com/Y7bvMJz0i1
— NWS Nashville (@NWSNashville) June 26, 2023
Metro Nashville's response to excessive heat
Agencies within Metro Nashville are on high alert as warm weather rolls in.
Harriet Wallace, communications director for Metro Homeless Impact Division, said MHID will visit the homeless more frequently during the heat wave and distribute cases of water, bug spray and other items to protect those without shelter.
"During extreme weather events, we do special monitoring to ensure the weather system has not interrupted their food preservation and supply. For example, if the heat were to knock out power, we go to our clients in facilities such as nursing homes and in their individual homes, and restock them with food," Wallace said.
Joseph Pleasant, a spokesperson with Emergency Management Agency, said there are protocols in place to activate cooling stations depending on the heat index.
If the heat index reaches 110 degrees for a prolonged period of days, they will activate cooling stations throughout the area.
"We do heat patrols through OEM where we send volunteers to various locations or places that have been reported where people may need shelter to provide cold water and other supplies. We also give them the opportunity to get transportation to shelters," Pleasant said.
During hot weather days, Wallace said MHID will offer passes for rides on WeGo buses to get to air conditioned locations.
Nashville radar
Nashville forecast
Thursday: A 20% chance of thunderstorms, with a high of 100 and a low of 61.
Friday: A 40% chance of thunderstorms with a high of 101 and a low of 66.
Saturday: A 50% chance of thunderstorms with a high of 98 and a low of 69.
Sunday: A 60% chance of thunderstorms with a high of 91 and a low of 67.
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on Twitter @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's heat wave: How to protect yourself from dangerous temps
