Don’t look for any sudden relief from the heat outside.

Chilton County and surrounding areas are under an excessive heat warning until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Calera. Once that passes, the county will be under another heat advisory until 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Highs will approach and likely break the 100F-degree mark in the next few days with heat index values ranging between a stifling 108-115F degrees.

An excessive heat warning is one level higher than a heat advisory. It indicates a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The NWS says the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat-related illnesses are likely.

NWS meteorologist Mary Keiser said temperatures will not fall below 70F degrees at night, leaving little time for recovery for houses and buildings to cool off overnight. The conditions will especially affect those without air-conditioning in their homes and businesses.

“This extreme heat can start to have a lot of effects on people and pets,” Keiser said.

The Clanton high on Tuesday hovered between 98-100F degrees, though Keiser insists the heat index values are what people should read if they want to know how the heat will actually feel.

“It’s how much moisture is in the air that affects how a person feels,” she said.

The heat wave will continue across Central Alabama through this Thursday. The NWS says the hot and humid conditions could even persist past Friday. Overnight lows will only fall between the mid-to-upper-70s, but some afternoon thunderstorms could provide relief.

The heat advisory will take effect Wednesday night at 7. A heat advisory suggests a period of hot temperatures is expected. The NWS suggests people drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms out and of the sun and check up on relatives, neighbors and pets.

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded, according to the NWS. Symptoms of a heat stroke include an extremely high body temperature, red and dry skin, a rapid and strong pulse, throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and unconsciousness. Anyone experiencing any of those symptoms or anyone who knows someone who is should immediately call 911.

For more information, call the NWS at (205) 664-3010.