Andresen said there are two major reasons why the heat is unusual for Michigan.

“The real issue is at night, we have unusually warm minimum temperatures,” Andresen said. “(Also,) the humidity levels are abnormally high. The combination of the high temperature and the humidity makes it very uncomfortable.”

Andresen said the average temperatures are currently running eight to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal during the day and 12 degrees Fahrenheit above normal at night.

“The very, very warm nights make the difference,” Andresen said. “People or animals never really get a chance to recover (from the heat).”

Andresen also noted that for the past 30 years, the third week in July has always been the warmest week in the year. He added that the odds are there won’t be another heat wave at this level for the remainder of this summer.

Ronda Oberlin, emergency management specialist for the city of Lansing, said the It’s a Cool Thing to Do program, started around 15 years ago, is designed to fight extreme heat situations such as this by providing cooling centers around the area. The centers are activated when the heat index goes over 93 degrees Fahrenheit.

The cooling centers are locations that are open to the public with air conditioning. If residents have physical disabilities or cannot afford bus fare, transportation can be arranged, Oberlin said. The centers will be activated through Friday night. To find a center or to arrange trasportation, call 211.

“We want people to be aware that the heat is taking a toll on them,” Oberlin said. “That’s really our goal. (We want to) make people aware of that and make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have a cool place.”

Angela Minicuci, public information officer at the Michigan Department of Community Health, said heat illness, caused by dehydration, appears in three stages: dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat/sun stroke.

Minicuci stressed the importance of staying out of direct exposure from the sun in addition to the necessity of remaining hydrated in this heat.

“Sweat is the body’s natural way of cooling down,” Minicuci said. “It’s really important you replace that sweat with water.”

To combat the heat, graduate student Micaela Fischer has been doing her work at coffee shops instead of her house, where she lacks air conditioning. However, she is maintaining a positive attitude.

“It’ll break, we’ll be ok,” Fischer said.

Andresen is keeping up the same spirit as Fischer.

“Bad news is, yes, it’s definitely a major heat wave for the country,” Andresen said. “The good news it will be coming to an end this weekend.”