The first week of August in Oklahoma will be filled with several days of steamy, hot weather.
Some rain and a recent cooldown gave families a break from sweltering heat on one of the last weekends before school starts, but seasonally hot temperatures will make a comeback over the next few days as Oklahoma pushes through the dog days of summer.
Here's what to expect in Oklahoma's weather short-term forecast over the next few days.
Heat wave returns in early August
Dangerous levels of heat and humidity are in the forecast for the first week of August.
According to the National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma will see temperatures rise into the high 90s. These high temperatures will occur during the afternoon across the entire state.
Some cities in southern Oklahoma could see the thermometer reach 100 degrees. Farther north, the short-term weather service forecast shows that Oklahoma City could see a high temperature of 98 on Friday, Aug. 8.
There is a very low chance of rain in the short-term forecast, but the state could see thunderstorms return during the weekend.
More: It's hot in Oklahoma. Parents and caregivers: how to prevent hot car deaths
The big danger is the heat index, a combination of high temperatures and humidity that can cause illness. Most areas of the state will see the heat index exceed 100 degrees by Wednesday, Aug. 6. It will persist through the weekend.
As of Monday, Aug. 4, here is Oklahoma City's five-day high temperature forecast (and heat index) according to the weather service:
Tuesday: 91 degrees (96)
Wednesday: 95 degrees (101)
Thursday: 97 degrees (102)
Friday: 98 degrees (103)
Saturday: 96 degrees (100)
What is heatstroke and what does it look like?
The National Weather Service recommends "extreme caution" when the heat index exceeds 90 degrees. When it's that hot outside, humans are susceptible to heatstroke, cramps or exhaustion with prolonged exposure or physical activity. When the heat index is over 100 degrees, serious medical conditions are more likely to develop.
Here are the four main types of heat-related illness, from mildest to most severe, according to the Cleveland Clinic:
Heat rash: Symptoms include tiny, itchy bumps on your skin, caused by sweat getting trapped beneath your skin. This can usually be treated at home.
Heat cramps: Also called exercise-associated muscle cramps, these are often in your legs, arms or belly, and can be associated with a slightly elevated body temperature. Heat cramps typically occur after exerting yourself in the heat and sweating a lot. Cramps are a warning sign that you should cool down immediately and rest for a couple of days before triggering a severe illness.
Heat exhaustion: Seek immediate medical attention. A moderate form of heat illness, heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke quickly without treatment. Heat exhaustion occurs when you lose too much water and/or salt. A person with heat exhaustion has an elevated temperature under 104 degrees, and symptoms like dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headache.
Heatstroke: Seek immediate medical attention. Heatstroke is a life-threatening heat illness, and it happens when your body temperature rises extremely high, usually above 104 degrees. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, plus signs of brain dysfunction like confusion, behavior changes and slurred speech. You can get heatstroke from physical activity in the heat, or from just being in the heat for too long.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma's weather forecast this week includes dangerous heat index
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