The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Newport County Monday morning, warning residents to prepare for potentially dangerous heat and humidity beginning Tuesday.
The advisory, which goes into effect at 11 a.m. Tuesday and extends through 7 p.m. Thursday, covers all six Newport County communities: Newport, Middletown, Portsmouth, Tiverton, Jamestown, and Little Compton.
Heat index values are expected to reach 95 to 100 degrees during afternoon hours, with Wednesday and Thursday forecast to bring the most intense conditions. Weather officials indicated the heat wave could potentially extend into Friday, requiring an extension of the current advisory.
The combination of high temperatures and humidity poses significant health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations including the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Heat-related illnesses become more likely when the body cannot effectively cool itself in such conditions.
Officials are urging residents to take preventive measures during the three-day heat event. The National Weather Service recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and checking on neighbors and relatives who may be at higher risk.
The heat advisory affects a broader region of southern New England, encompassing parts of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, but notably excludes Cape Cod, the Islands, and the eastern slopes of the Berkshires.
Residents should monitor local weather conditions and heat index forecasts as the situation develops, particularly given the possibility that dangerous conditions could persist beyond the current Thursday evening endpoint.
