Alabama heat indices expected to reach as high as 109: What you need to know
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The first major heat wave of 2026 is about to sweep over the state of Alabama as temperatures will near triple digits.
The National Weather Service is warning of moderate to major heat risk for nearly every area of the state through July 2.
“Warm conditions are expected to return this weekend and into early next week. By Monday, the HeatRisk is expected to be in the Major category for much of Central AL – meaning little to no overnight relief & increased risk for those without effective cooling or hydration.”
National Weather Service Birmingham
Make sure to keep an eye on local meteorologists for any changes to the forecast + check your local city social media pages for information about cooling stations.
Alabama heat wave forecast
The summer heat will be caused by whats known as a “heat dome,” or a strong upper-level ridge of high pressure across the Eastern United States. The high pressure will impact our weather here in Alabama.
The highest temperatures for the week are currently forecasted for Monday, June 29 through Wednesday, July 1 but the heat arrives this weekend. Here’s a look at some of the hottest forecasted temperatures for the week:
- Anniston: 95 (Monday)
- Auburn: 94 (Monday)
- Birmingham: 97 (Tuesday)
- Dothan: 94 (Sunday)
- Florence: 97 (Wednesday)
- Gulf Shores: 91 (Tuesday)
- Huntsville: 97 (Wednesday)
- Mobile: 94 (Monday)
- Montgomery: 96 (Monday)
- Tuscaloosa: 97 (Tuesday)
But as anyone in Alabama knows, it’s not just the high temperatures. It will also be the humidity, pushing that “feels like” temperature past the triple-digit mark.
Tips to stay safe in the heat
- Slow down: Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health concerns should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.
- Eat light: Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads.
- If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
- Drink plenty of water (not very cold): Focus on non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you’re on a fluid-restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing consumption of fluids.
- Use air conditioners: Spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries if your home isn’t air conditioned.
- Use portable electric fans: Fans exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperatures are hotter than 90°F.
- Minimize direct exposure to the sun: Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat. Take a cool bath or shower.
- Do not take salt tablets: Only take salt tablets if recommended by a physician.
- Be aware of infants, older, sick or frail people and pets: Never leave children, disabled adults or pets in a car.
Signs of heat-related illness
- Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness, and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.
- Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen. Heavy sweating.
- First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water.
- Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.
- Heat exhaustion
- Symptoms: Heavy sweating; weakness or tiredness; cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; dizziness, nausea or vomiting; headache; fainting.
- First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water.
- Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour
- Heat Stroke
- Symptoms: Throbbing headache; confusion; slurred speech; nausea; dizziness; body temperature above 103°F; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse; fainting; loss of consciousness.
- First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.
