The National Weather Service (NWS) office in San Juan issued a heat advisory for all of Puerto Rico on Tuesday, November 3, in effect from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, as the archipelago continues to see above-normal temperatures. The maximum temperature will be near 84°F, but the heat index, what the body actually feels, could reach or exceed 100°F, particularly in coastal and urban areas.
The NWS urged people to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, heavy sweating, fatigue and fainting. Citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it explained that heat exhaustion comes from prolonged heat exposure, while heat stroke is a more serious medical emergency in which the body cannot regulate its temperature, potentially causing organ damage and death if not treated quickly.
High temperatures can worsen symptoms for people with chronic health conditions, with the greatest risks in coastal areas, low-lying areas, interior valleys and urban zones. Residents are advised to drink plenty of water, stay in air-conditioned places and avoid prolonged direct sun exposure. The NWS also said east-southeast winds, solar heating and terrain effects will favor afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the west and northwest interior, with a 50 percent chance of precipitation. Choppy seas will gradually subside through midweek.