As daytime temperatures begin to rise, the National Weather Service is reminding all residents about the dangers of excessive heat.

Today is Iowa Heat Awareness Day, and Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg reminds everyone to never leave kids or pets in cars alone during hot, sunny days.

Kotenberg says the National Weather Service issues two types of advisories related to heat.

“The heat advisory is when there’s a heat index that’s expected to reach 105 degrees or the actual air temperature expected to reach 100 degrees,” he says. “We typically would issue that a day or two in advance.”

“When we get to a heat warning, that’s when the heat index is expected to reach 110 degrees, and then the overnight does not fall below 75 degrees, so it’s really one of those muggy mornings as well, and that is expected to last for two days.”

With daytime highs expected in the mid 90’s beginning Saturday and continuing through the early part of next week, everyone who has to be outdoors is reminded to stay hydrated, wear light colored and loose fitted clothing, take plenty of breaks in shade or air conditioning, and to check on those sensitive to the heat, especially the elderly.

The heat on Saturday through Monday could be record breaking, with Saturday’s high mark at 98 (1918), Sunday at 96 (1952), and Monday at 96 (1987).

Click here for more information from the National Weather Service.