HOT

If temperatures of late seem hotter than last year, rest assured, they are.
“This summer is warmer than last year,” said Andrew Tingler, meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Lake Charles office. “June through July was probably one of the top 10 hottest, and last July was a bit cooler than this year.
“Last summer, we actually had some cool fronts make it here. This year, we’ve had none.”
According to records, the state is moving into the hottest part of the year, the last part of July through mid August, when cloud cover and fronts that stall will begin to move back in over Louisiana.
St. Landry Parish experienced its first official heat advisory of the season earlier this week, and even with temperatures that seem to slap you in the face as soon as you step outside, this year’s heat wave is only a few degrees hotter than last year.
“Temperatures right now are not too far from normal,” Tingler said. “The high in Lafayette yesterday (Monday) was 96. That’s only four degrees above average.”
“Right now, the biggest effect on temperature has been persistent ridge of high pressure over Texas and the southeastern states. We have to have clouds or rain to cool off, and the high pressure is not allowing clouds to build up.”
Tingler said the high pressure would dissipate for a few days, leading to small chances of rain late this week before the ridge would build back up and lead heat indexes of 106 to 109 for St. Landry Parish on Sunday and Monday.
Parish residents may notice a little reprieve from the heat in the late afternoon thanks to the sea breeze from the Gulf of Mexico.
“Being close to the Gulf, it’s a little cooler in afternoons because of the sea breeze,” Tingler said. “The high temperature in Cameron yesterday afternoon (Monday) was about 90 to 92 degrees. In Lafayette, it was 96, and in Alexandria, it was 100. That sea breeze reaches New Iberia and Lafayette around 2 or 3 p.m. and it gets to St. Landry Parish a little later.”
With high temperatures come the risk of heat-related illnesses.
“There is lots of awareness about heat related illnesses,” said Dr. Zeb Stearns. “People take precautions. I have not treated anyone for heat-related illnesses this summer. Most go to the emergency room but I have seen patients previous summers with less severe heat related illnesses.”
While the elderly are most susceptible to heat related illnesses, most cases are among those who work outside or play sports.
The less severe heat-related illness can be remedied with liquids like water and drinks with electrolytes and cooling off to stabilize core temperature, but those with heat exhaustion and heat stroke should seek immediate medical attention.
“Heat stroke is a real emergency,” Stearns said. “Get people to a medical center for treatment and try to cool them down quickly. When someone’s core temperature is so high, that can cause function damage. They can’t auto regulate, cool down, quickly. They can’t sweat to cool down. An increase in temperature will effect the brain, heart and everything else. Heat stroke can lead to brain damage and even death.”
Stearns suggested being prepared for hot weather by checking weather forecasts prior to outdoor plans, having plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, a hat in the sun and light clothes that wick easily and staying in the shade if possible.
“If you are exercising (outdoors) less than an hour, water is usually enough,” Stearns said. “If you are exercising more than an hour, athletes especially, you also need something with electrolytes. If you are exercising, hydrate before, during and after.”
The doctor also recommended acclimating to the heat and increasing sweat production by staying outside in four to six sessions of an hour or two at a time.
Like Stearns, Dr. Tim Deshotel also has not treated any patients with heat-related illnesses this summer, although his patients are mostly four-legged, not two-legged.
“People are doing a good job so far this year (of keeping pets from getting overheated),” Deshotel, veterinarian at Northside Animal Clinic. “I normally average about four or five heat illness patients each summer.”
According to Deshotel, dogs, especially those that are older or less healthy, are the most susceptible to heat-related illness and canines are the species he sees most often for such sicknesses
Deshotel said, “Acclimation matters a lot. It’s not so much a breed predilection. If a dog is not a breed used to living here, as long as being taken care of, it’s usually okay. You do not see heat illnesses in a particular breed.”
Deshotel suggested making sure that outside dogs have access to shade and water, that the surface of the animal’s kennel is not hot to the touch and exercise precaution when allowing a dog to ride in the hot bed of a pickup truck.
“Water is the single most important thing,” he said. “Give them twice the amount of water you think they need and put it in something they can’t tip over.”
“Also, your dog should not be in the car if you are not in the car (during hot months). That can lead to a dead pet.”
Signs that a dog is experiencing heat stress include lying down and not getting up, panting heavily, vomiting and diarrhea. Deshotel suggested taking the dog inside, giving it a cool water bath to bring it’s temperature down and then bringing the animal to veterinarian.
Summertime heat can also lead to changes on power bills.
“There is no certain amount for an increase, but bills do go up,” said Mary Laurent, communications director for SLEMCO. “The two biggest users of electricity in a home are the cooling and heating system and water heater. Anything you to do cut use of these two will save you money.”
According to Cleco public information officer Robbyn Cooper, during the peak summer months, Cleco customers use 154 percent more electricity than during the months when electricity usage is the lowest.
“The peak summer months are July, August and September,” Cooper said.
“During these months, customers’ electricity usage is the highest. During the months of April, May, October and November, customers use the least amount energy.” 
“With the increased temperatures comes the need to conserve energy to help control a home’s electric bill.”
Cooper suggested using fans in the home during summer months, which can make the air in a residence feel about 10 degrees cooler, and setting a water heater’s thermostat at 120 degrees.
Cleco also has a Home Energy Profile on its website to help customers determine how much power is used in an average year. The company also has an energy efficiency program that provides rebates for energy-saving updates to customer’s homes.