Stoddard County, Missouri - The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch in effect from Thursday afternoon through Sunday evening for Stoddard County.

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING...

* TEMPERATURE...MAXIMUM AFTERNOON HEAT INDEX VALUES FROM AROUND 105 TO 110 DEGREES WILL BE POSSIBLE THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. * IMPACTS...

AN INCREASED RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR HEAT STROKE TO THOSE ENGAGING IN STRENUOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

THOSE WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING WILL BE AT RISK.

CAR INTERIORS WILL REACH LETHAL TEMPERATURES IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.

THE EXTENDED PERIOD OF HIGH HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL WORSEN THE EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS, WITH LITTLE RELIEF ANTICIPATED AT NIGHT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED.

THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...

STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. NEVER LEAVE PETS, CHILDREN OR THE ELDERLY UNATTENDED IN PARKED VEHICLES.