Cooler weather will help Hoopfest athletes, fans beat the heat

Things are likely to cool down for Hoopfest this weekend, after high temperatures in the 90s earlier in the week.

The National Weather Service is expecting temperatures in the lower 80s on Saturday and mid-70s by Sunday.

“A front offshore in the eastern Pacific is finally going to move on shore,” weather service meteorologist Paul Bos said, “and will move into the region this weekend.”

Along with the cooler temperatures, Hoopfest participants can expect some clouds, a 40 percent chance of thundershowers and winds around 15 mph.

“Friday is still going to be hot,” Bos said, “but it will be quite a bit cooler and showery Friday night.”

But just in case, Hoopfest organizers will have first-aid tents at four locations downtown to deal with overheated participants, executive director Rick Steltenpohl said. The tents will be staffed with medical personnel with plenty of ice and water. Also, there is a free water station just north of City Hall by the Post Street Bridge, he said.

“Last year was hot, in the 90s, and we didn’t have many cases of heat frustration,” Steltenpohl said. “I was shocked the incidence of heat frustration wasn’t any higher.”

Despite what the weatherman says, Hoopfest participants are advised to wear sunscreen and remember to drink plenty of fluids without alcohol or caffeine, which causes loss of body fluids, said Julie Graham, public information manager at the Spokane County Health District. Infants, young children and the elderly are more at risk for heat-related illness, so keep an eye on family members, she said.