Today heat wave's steamiest at 104

The heat wave is continuing to spread misery today, with the temperature hitting a hight of 104 degrees just before 4 p.m. at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. That breaks the previous record for the date of 100 degrees, set in 2001.

Today's heat is worse than Wednesday's, when the high hit 102 degrees, also a record for the date.

Accounting for the humidity, it felt as hot as 113 degrees today.

The Weather Service is warning people to be aware of the potential for heat-related illnesses. More than a dozen Triangle residents have been treated for dehydration or heat exhaustion at hospitals over the past two days.

WakeMed's three campuses saw a spike in heat-related illnesses in the past 24 hours, when 17 people were treated compared to six the day before that.

Rex Healthcare reported treating two people with heat-related illnesses today, and four on Wednesday.

"Be careful," said WakeMed spokeswoman Heather Monackey. "Drink lots of water. If you don't have to be outside in the heat of the day, don't."

The hight heat caused some Raleigh solid waste crews to leave work early with some recycling and yard waste routes unfinished, city officials reported. Residents are being asked to leave those items out another day.

"Guys were getting sick," said Raleigh spokeswoman Jayne Kirkpatrick.

The Triangle's air quality is also lousy, with another Code Orange day today. Ozone pollution could cause problems for people with respiratory problems and other sensitive groups.

Meanwhile, electric utility companies are facing record demand as air conditioners strain under the load.

Duke Energy reported record usage for Wednesday, breaking the record set in July 2005. Customers in North and South Carolina used 18,988 megawatts, up from 18,687 set July 27, 2005.

Utility company officials are urging people to conserve energy by turning up thermostats, turning off lights and not doing laundry or using electrical equipment until after 9 p.m.

At least these hot, muggy days will lead to thunderstorms, right?

Not necessarily, says the National Weather Service, which forecasts only a small chance of showers and thunderstorms today through the weekend.

So when will it get better?

Temperatures are expected to fall a couple of degrees on Friday, when the forecast high is 100. The high is expected to dip to 91 Saturday and Sunday before rising a bit to 92 on Monday.