Here's How Hot It Will Feel In Austin Today

AUSTIN, TX — Summer, we've got to stop meeting like this. For the third day in a row, the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory.

Such alerts are issued when the heat index makes it feel like it's more than 100 degrees outside. By issuing such advisories, it's hoped people will be mindful to drink plenty of water when outdoors along with the other prerequisite safeguards of wearing light-colored, loose-fitting garments, hats, checking in on elderly neighbors and making sure kids and pets aren't left in hot cars alone (something that should never be done, with or without heat advisories).

This latest advisory, like the others, takes effect at noon. The ones issued on Wednesday and Thursday were from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Related stories:

Heat Advisory Issued For Austin Area

Austin Area Under Heat Advisory For 2nd Straight Day

In other words, it's too darn hot. But Friday is comparatively balmy from Wednesday, when the heat index made it feel up to 114 degrees outside. The end of the work week will register a heat index of 107 degrees, meteorologists said. Not exactly a cold front, but we'll take it over the former reading.

The American Red Cross has a number of valuable (and potentially life-saving) tips on dealing with such oppressive heat while avoiding heat exhaustion and, worse, heat stroke. All of us should take heed of this advice. And try to stay cool out there!

Weather buffs might also be interested to know that today is the first day of astronomical summer, the National Weather Service helpfully informs. What this means is that today's solstice is when the sun reaches the highest point in the sky relative to the equator, marking the beginning of astronomical summer.

Today, the North Pole is tilted far enough toward the sun that there are 24 hours of daylight north of the Arctic Circle. This is also the first day of the day of the year when the Northern Hemisphere receives the most hours of sunlight.

Interesting, no? In plain English: It's too darn hot.