IF YOU THINK IT'S HOT HERE...

We're only catching the edge of a truly scorching heat wave that is smothering much of the southeastern US. The high temperatures registered during the past two days at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport --- the city's official weather reporting station --- were 97 degrees on Saturday and 95 Friday. In comparision, at Bobby L. Chain Municipal Airport in my birthplace of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the highs were 103 Saturday and 97 on Friday. Remember, that's the actual air temperature, not the heat index which is the temperature that it "feels like" when the humidity is factored in. And, they're expecting the mercury to hit or surpass the 100 degree mark for the next four days.

It became so serious that in Grenada County, Mississippi a chancery judge signed an order prohibiting all outdoor activities such as football and band practices, as well as recess for elementary schoolchildren. That decision, which affected seven north Mississippi counties in the judge's district, was overturned Friday by the state Supreme Court.

Regardless of where you are across the southeast, including here in "cool" Central Florida, be sure you take care of yourself and keep a check on the elderly and ill during this time. Be sure to put on plenty of sun screen, and keep yourself hydrated (we're talking water here; adult libations has the opposite effect, so if you do get into the alcoholic drinks, be sure you get plenty of water as well).