Michigan braces for a heat wave. Here’s how to stay safe and cool

• The first heat wave of the season is expected to hit Michigan on Sunday 
• Peak temperatures will reach the mid-to-high 90s through at least Wednesday
• Southern Michigan will experience the warmest temperatures

Michigan will experience its first heat wave of the year starting Sunday as the first day of summer approaches.

High temperatures, reaching the mid-to-upper 90s in some parts of the state, and humidity may cause it to feel like temperatures are nearly 100 degrees. 

The upcoming heat wave will not only impact Michigan residents. At least 135 million people in the central and eastern U.S. and parts of Canada will also experience potentially dangerous high temperatures, according to Accuweather. The forecasting company says the heat wave is expected to last three days in some places and as long as seven days in others. 

Southeast Michigan

In southeast Michigan, temperatures will be in the high 90s Monday through Wednesday while overnight temperatures will be in the 70s, according to the National Weather Service. 

Temperatures in Detroit will begin to rise Sunday as the high is forecasted at 88 degrees. Monday's expected high is 97, and the weather will remain in the 90s through at least Thursday.

RELATED: 

• Urban 'heat islands' in Great Lakes and the toll on human health
• After record-warm winter, Michigan may be in for a sweltering summer
• In warming Great Lakes region, water, heat can be an unhealthy combination
• Electric bills in Michigan are rising — just in time for summer
• Smoky skies that hurt lungs in Michigan in '23 likely to become more common

The warm overnight temperatures will provide little relief putting the region at major or even extreme risks for heat-related impacts.

Southwest Michigan

Southwest Michigan will experience similar conditions as temperatures are expected to be in the mid-to-high 90s, according to the NWS Grand Rapids office. 

In Grand Rapids, the hottest day of the heat wave is projected to be Monday when temperatures reach about 95 degrees. The last time temperatures reached 95 degrees this early in the season was in 1994, said Joe Ceru, meteorologist at the NWS Grand Rapids office.

“One of the things that is concerning is there's not going to be that nighttime cooling that most people are used to and/or experience,” Ceru said. “So working outside for extended periods of time should be reconsidered. Households without cooling systems will (have)  little overnight relief.”

Northern Michigan and U.P.

Temperatures in southern Michigan will be warmer than those in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Rain and thunderstorms are expected in both regions this weekend and into next week. The risk for heat-related impacts is moderate and minor, according to the National Weather Service. 

Temperatures in northern Michigan will be in the high 80s and low 90s for the duration of the heat wave. Temperatures in Gaylord will peak at 92 degrees during the heat wave while overnight temperatures will remain in the high 60s and low 70s.

It's no surprise that temperatures in the Upper Peninsula, which will peak at 80 degrees, will be much cooler than those in the rest of the state, the NWS said. Again, showers and possible thunderstorms are expected starting Sunday and throughout Wednesday. 

Temperatures in Houghton will reach 82 degrees on Sunday, then cool down to 78 on Monday before warming back up to 85 on Tuesday. 

How to assess your heat risk 

The weather service, in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently launched a new tool that individuals in areas experiencing extreme temperatures can use to determine how to best care for themselves. 

People can check the heat risk in their area on a color-coded map. Individuals that are sensitive to heat can use this map to determine the best plan of action. 

Staying cool in the warm weather 

While warm temperatures provide great conditions for summer activities like swimming or kayaking, it’s important that people prepare themselves ahead of the heat wave. 

Staying outdoors for too long during a heat wave or not taking the proper precautions to stay cool can cause heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include muscle cramping, heavy sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches or nausea. 

The CDC recommends: 

• Staying in the shade as much as possible
• Taking breaks from being outdoors 
• Drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine, alcohol and drinks with lots of sugar 
• Doing outdoor activities when it’s cool outside, either in the morning or evening. 

Staying cool in your home 

While it's best to avoid being outdoors during a heat wave, homeowners should also make sure they are using safe practices indoors to keep cool. 

C & C Heating & Air Conditioning, a Detroit-based heating and cooling company recommends that homeowners: 

• Close the blinds during the hottest part of the day to keep the house cool.
• Make sure fans rotate counterclockwise during the summer months, which pushes air downward, creating a cooling effect. 
• Using LED bulbs to reduce heat and save money because LED bulbs use less energy.
• Cook outdoors instead of indoors. When the oven or stove is on, it can cause the temperature in the home to increase. 
• Investing in a smart thermostat, which can save homeowners money. 

"The average family's utility costs jump about 8% across the country as the mercury rises,"said Dayna Hottle, general manager of C & C Heating & Air Conditioning in a press statement.

"And with increases in the cost of fuel and hotter-than-average temperatures, this can take its toll on the average American's pocketbook. By taking a few precautions, your family could save some money this summer without staying hot all the time."