Heat wave moves through Eastern Iowa Wednesday

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The heat is moving in right on schedule Wednesday. Expect highs of 95-100 degrees area-wide with heat index values right around 100-103.

The mugginess will creep up a bit more for Thursday and with temperatures equally as hot, heat index values will be higher on Thursday, likely in the 103-108 range.

A few small waves of low pressure will try to break the heat wave and could trigger a few scattered storms, mainly at night, from Thursday night through Saturday night. Highs will likely be no lower than 90 degrees, with lows at 70 or above each night.

Extreme heat fact sheet:

• Average temperature for Eastern Iowa this time of year: 83 degrees

• Predicted highs on Thursday: Iowa City - 98 degrees, Cedar Rapids - 96 degrees, heat index is expected to meet or exceed 105 degrees

• Predicted highs on Friday: Iowa City - 93 degrees, Cedar Rapids - 92 degrees, heat index is expected to land in the upper 90 degree range

• Last time temperatures reached 100 degrees: Iowa City - July 3, 2011,  at 102  degrees, Cedar Rapids - July 20, 2011,  at 100 degrees

Where you can go to stay cool:

• Iowa City: Any public building including Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Avenue, Sycamore Mall, 1660 Sycamore St., Old Capitol Town Center, 201 S. Clinton St., and the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center, 28 S. Linn St.

• Cedar Rapids: There will be a cooling center at the Salvation Army from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 100 C Avenue NW

Tips for staying cool in extreme heat from the Iowa Department of Public Health:

• Drink more fluids, regardless of your activity level. You are hydrated if your urine is light yellow.

• If you're experiencing a lot of sweating, replace salts and minerals by eating things like bananas and salty crackers or consume re-hydrating beverages like sports drinks

• Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and wear sunscreen

• Try to stay in the shade or air conditioning as much as possible

• Work slowly or exercise slowly in extreme heat if you are not used to working in hot temperatures. Stop immediately if you get weak, dizzy, or nauseated and go into a cool place to rehydrate.

• Keep an eye on others for heat-induced illness