Heat envelops Butler County
Residents can expect stifling heat as an advisory for portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio bring high temperatures and humidity to Butler County.
Friday, July 28, may be one of the hottest days of the summer for Butler. Meteorologist Colton Milcarek of the National Weather Service’s Pittsburgh office said people should be mindful of peak hours between approximately 3 to 7 p.m.
A heat advisory is issued whenever a heat index forecast reaches temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit and below 105 degrees, said Milcarek. He said people can think of a heat advisory as a “heads-up” to minimize going outdoors, avoid strenuous activity and check on the elderly and people susceptible to heat illnesses.
The heat advisory comes as different regions across the United States, most notably the Southwest, grapple with high temperatures and are blanketed by a heat dome. In the past few weeks, the heat has surged in Western Pennsylvania, bringing in more tropical air to the area, Milcarek said.
He said residents in northern Butler and Mercer counties should also keep an eye out for storms in the next few days.
“We have a marginal risk for severe weather,” said Milcarek.
As the heat envelops Butler County, local pools said they are prepared for the temperature surge.
Emma Wise, pool manager of the Town Park Pool in Seven Fields said lifeguards keep cool with plenty of snow cones and shade provided by umbrellas. Wise said lifeguards are trained to act quickly in the event that someone experiences heat-related illness, which can range in severity from heat cramps to heat stroke, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency said in a Tuesday news release.
The Town Park Pool has not yet reached maximum capacity, but Wise said increased temperatures have seen increased attendance, especially during the weekends.
“I have a very strong feeling that we will have a lot more people come down,” Wise said.
Last Saturday, the pool was packed enough that it ran out lawn chairs, so people brought their own, she said.
Wise said the pool would draw up a wait list if two or three lifeguards would not be able to effectively supervise groups of swimmers.
“Weather, obviously, drives attendance, everywhere you are at,” said Dave Hutner, Cranberry Township program manager and interim parks and recreation director. “If it’s hot, people will more likely show up.”
While Hutner said he didn’t believe the Cranberry Waterpark would exceed capacity with higher temperatures driving up attendance, he said the heat brings additional challenges for both patrons and staff. To safely cope with the hot weather, Hutner suggested pool-goers hydrate regularly and take safety breaks.
Hutner said lifeguards are trained to watch out for the safety of staff and discuss the factors, such as weather, that will affect their week. Procedures are in place for staff to take breaks. Every 10-15 minutes, Hutner said supervisors loop around the pool to check on patrons and staff.
“We watch out, not only in our patrons, but for each other too,” Hutner said.
“Take precautions, no matter where you’re at,” Hutner said. “This heat is to be taken seriously.”
