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Anyone observing the Fourth of July may be affected by a new heat advisory issued for portions of GA. It takes effect Thursday.

GEORGIA — An Independence Day heat advisory has been issued for parts of northwest and central Georgia, according to the National Weather Service's Peachtree City office.

The advisory goes into effect at 1 p.m. Thursday and lasts until 7 p.m. that evening.

Weather officials say heat index values of up to 109 are expected in the region. They added hot temperatures and high humidity could potentially cause heat illnesses.

Fulton, Gwinnett, Bartow, Barrow, Clarke, Oconee, Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, Douglas, DeKalb, Rockdale, Clayton, Henry, Butts, Spalding, Muscogee and Upson counties are among several impacted by the advisory.

Residents should drink plenty of fluids and remain in air-conditioned rooms, weather officials said. People are urged to stay out of the sun and to check on relatives or neighbors.

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The weather service offered the following additional heat safety tips:

Take extra precautions when outside.

Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, schedule frequent rest breaks in

shaded or air conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.

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As of Wednesday afternoon, the temperature was 91 degrees in metro Atlanta and 94 degrees in Columbus. Coastal Georgia was a bit cooler at 87 degrees in Savannah.

In what might be much to the dismay of Fourth of July observers, temperatures are set to sit around the mid-90s through the remainder of the week.

The heat could linger through the weekend, with the weather service saying additional heat advisories may be necessary.

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