Hot and sticky simmers the Twin Cities, much of Minnesota

Hot. Sticky. Repeat.

High heat and humidity will combine again Wednesday and Thursday, keeping Minnesota in sauna-like conditions and extending a heat advisory for southern and east central Minnesota.

Temperatures in the Twin Cities, which climbed to 92 on Tuesday, are expected to hit 93 on Wednesday, but it will feel more like 99 because of the humidity, said National Weather Service meteorologist Tony Zaleski. Twin Cities residents will get more of the same Thursday with a high near 92 and humidity making it feel like 98.

Clouds and possible thunderstorms Thursday afternoon could cool things down a bit, Zaleski said.

A cold front will drop temperatures to the mid-80s on Friday, although it's likely to remain humid, he said. But by Saturday, the high probably will reach only the upper 70s, providing major relief from the summer swelter.

Until then, the Weather Service and hospital officials are warning people to take precautions because hot and humid conditions pose a risk of heat-related illnesses, especially for the young, the elderly and those without air conditioning.

In Minneapolis, Hennepin County Medical Center officials said at least two people came to the emergency room Tuesday with heat-related illnesses. In St. Paul, Regions Hospital officials said a couple of people with asthma were treated because the heat had caused breathing problems.

Symptoms of heatstroke include body temperature over 103 degrees; absence of sweating with hot, red or flushed dry skin; rapid pulse, dizziness, throbbing headache and confusion, according to the HCMC website.

Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness and can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate replacement of fluids. Symptoms include heavy sweating, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache, nausea and fainting.

Mary Lynn Smith • 612-673-4788