Sioux Falls, S.D. – Dangerous heat will grip much of eastern South Dakota this afternoon, with temperatures and humidity combining to push the heat index to between 100 and 105 degrees through 8 p.m. Friday. The hottest conditions are expected south of Highway 18, where prolonged outdoor exposure could quickly lead to heat-related illness.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, the Heat Advisory runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and covers much of southeastern South Dakota, including Sioux Falls, Yankton, Vermillion, and Brookings. Residents are urged to limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning or late evening hours and to take frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces.
Road crews, construction workers, and those attending outdoor events should wear light-colored clothing, drink plenty of water, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, nausea, and heavy sweating. Authorities stress that children and pets should never be left in vehicles, even for a short time, as interior temperatures can climb rapidly.
The heat is expected to ease late tonight, but another stretch of warm, humid weather may return over the weekend.
