Officials urge caution as excessive heat cooks Lincoln this weekend

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for Lincoln and Lancaster County this weekend.

Officials say dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 112 degrees will be possible from Saturday to Monday.

Heat Risk for Lincoln will be in the red category, which means this level of heat will affect anyone without cooling or adequate hydration.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department urges residents to take precautions to avoid heat related illnesses and to closely monitor weather conditions and heat risk as temperatures rise.

Knowing the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke is important:

• Heat exhaustion can develop following exposure for several days to high temperatures. Symptoms include heavy sweating, rapid heartbeat, cold, pale clammy skin, nausea, dizziness, weakness and fatigue.
• Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, is a medical emergency characterized by a body temperature of above 103⁰ F or greater. Symptoms include hot, red skin, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, confusion and passing out.

Many places around the City of Lincoln have opened their doors to act as cooling centers.

Lincoln City Libraries announced in a Facebook post that anyone is welcome and they can stay as long as they want.

City pools, splash pads, community centers and senior centers will still operate on their normal schedules.