The National Weather Service has the entire Pioneer Valley under a Heat Advisory today. Heat index values could approach one-hundred degrees, according to the weather service. The hot weather is prompting many local school districts to dismiss students early.
Because so few of the older schools in the region are equipped with air conditioning, school officials in various locations have decided to send kids home early -- before the intense heat strikes.
Among those districts, Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, Westfield, Greenfield and South Hadley. Only the Ware School District opted to keep schools closed today. No decisions have been made about tomorrow or the rest of the week. Since kids have reported to school, they do get credit toward the 180 days of mandated state educational time.
Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to see showers, but little respite from the intense heat or the humidity. It may not be until Thursday when we see things break temperature wise.
Most medical experts say you should drink plenty of liquid, mostly water and limit your access to the outdoors. The beach will be a popular destination. So will parks. But doctors warn to keep young children off medical slides for any extended period of time. Temps could get to 140 degrees causing burns.
(Photo Credit: John Baibak/WHYN News)