With feels-like temps near 100 degrees, UW Health Doctor provides tips to stay safe at weekend events

But, as we've heard CBS 58's meteorologists warn, the feels-like temperatures on Saturday, Aug. 9, could be near the triple digits.

Dr. Jeff Pothof, emergency medicine physician at UW-Health, said high temperatures aren't our only problem: "the thing that typically gets us in trouble in Wisconsin is the humidity."

At the State Fairgrounds on Friday, several attendees said they could feel the heat and were taking breaks inside buildings to get some reprieve. "I better go inside, cause yeah it is hot outside," shared Keem Allen from Milwaukee. "If you’re sitting in the sun out here, you’re gonna feel about 100" said a man who identified himself as "Reliable J."

However, the intense heat isn't stopping fairgoers from enjoying the fun. Greenfield resident Courtney Hungelmann-Skiba shared, "It’s brutally hot, everybody here is sweaty, but the food is great and the drinks are good."

Dr. Pothof says being out in these temperatures for an extended period can be dangerous: "out at the state fairgrounds, there's a lot of blacktop there. The sun's beating down. It gets really warm, so make sure you've got plenty of water, or a plan to purchase water or drinks."

"The problem with the heat and the high humidity is the sweat doesn't go anywhere. It stays on you, because the air cannot absorb more moisture," he continued.

Some of the warning signs you should keep an eye out for include muscle cramps or sweating profusely, and the most dangerous would-be nausea and confusion. "But that can be avoided," said Dr. Pothof.

He recommends always having a plan that includes water and a place to go that has shade and preferably, air conditioning. At the State Fairgrounds, the air-conditioned buildings include the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, the Dairy Building and Grand Champion Hall.

While Wisconsinites are trying to beat the heat, at the USA Triathlon, they're also trying to beat out the competition. Around 3,600 triathletes from all over the country are in Milwaukee this weekend. Dr. Pothof says his hospital often sees "some athletes go down, not because they're not in great shape, not because they didn't have water, but they so badly wanted to finish the triathlon that they pushed a little bit too hard and got themselves in trouble. So that little voice in your head is saying, hey, I think this is a bad idea, and we should probably stop. Take heed to that voice in your head, it's usually right."

USA Triathlon Senior Communications and Content Manager Stephen Meyers said they have contingency plans for every situation, including the heat.

"We have tons of water at aid stations, so we'll make sure athletes' safeties are taken into account," he said.

Those at higher risk are kids, seniors, and those on medications.