Bay area heat index could reach 110 today

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for most of peninsular Florida, including Pinellas, Pasco,  Hillsborough, Manatee and Sarasota counties, effective until 7 p.m. today. The same advisory was in effect Tuesday, and will most likely repeat Thursday.

Today’s heat index, according to the NWS, could reach 110 degrees. “The heat index, also known as the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature. This has important considerations for the human body’s comfort,” the agency’s official definition reads.

Tampa’s official temperature reached 97 degrees Tuesday, making it the hottest Fourth of July on record.

The National Weather Service advises:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Stay in an air-conditioned room
• Stay out of the sun
• Check up on relatives and neighbors
• Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances

According to The Weather Channel’s extended forecast, morning thunderstorms will roll in Friday, Saturday and Sunday.