The first official day of summer is still three days away, but it already feels like it’s here.

Temperatures have been in the low to mid-90s the past few days, and they are expected to get even hotter, according to the National Weather Service in Birmingham.

“For the next few days temperatures will be pretty similar, but as we get towards next week, we’ll see them start to go up a little bit more,” said Jason Davis, a meteorologist with the NWS. “Temperatures are a few degrees above normal but not quite high enough for the records.”

The high for Thursday is expected to be around 93 degrees, and Selma and Dallas County will see temperatures reach close to 96 degrees early next week.

The record high for this time in Selma is 103 degrees, which was reached in 1933.

While the temperatures are only in the mid-90s, Davis said it will feel even hotter for people outside.

“Humidity will affect the head index values, and those will be up to around 100 degrees or a little bit more each day,” Davis sad. “The heat index will make it feel more like 100 to 103 degrees.”

While some people can get indoors to avoid the hottest part of the day, people that work outside don’t always have that luxury.

Delois Smith with the Selma Public Works Department said they are making sure their workers are drinking fluids and taking frequent breaks during the hot workdays.

“Our normal business hours are from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., but [workers] come in for the summer months from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. to try to beat the heat,” Smith said. “We also have them takes breaks frequently whenever they feel hot and keep them hydrated with Gatorade and water.”

Staying hydrated is one of the most important parts to avoid heat-related illness.

“The body is made up of water, and water plays such a key role in keeping our temperature regulated and everything,” said Dallas County Extension Coordinator Callie Nelson. “If you are not hydrated then the body doesn’t have that fluid it uses to help keep the temperature regulated and you could run the risk of having a heat stroke or becoming dehydrated.”

Nelson also recommends people change up their diet a little bit during the summer.

“People should also be smart about their snack selection,” Nelson said. “People need to snack on things that have a more natural water content, so if they have a choice between potato chips and watermelon, they should eat the fruit. It helps to keep the body hydrated.”

For people that work outside, Nelson suggests taking frequent breaks to cool off in the shade.

“One thing they need to do is take breaks. They shouldn’t stay out in the sun for hours at a time,” Nelson said. “It is really recommended that they take a break at least every hour to an hour and a half to allow themselves to cool down.”

Nelson said people should also wear clothing that will keep them cool during the day.

“If people are going to be out in the sun, they need to make sure the type of clothing they are wearing is going to be something that is going to breath,” Nelson said. “People want to wear light, cool colors like light blues and whites and things like that.”

Nelson recommends people try to do things indoors during the peak hours of the day.

“Read a good book inside. That is a good time to watch that favorite movie that you have been wanting to watch,” Nelson said. “It might be a good time for kids to do arts and crafts projects.”

Other activities people can do in Selma is go to the movies, visit one of the museums or go swimming at the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County.

People should also be aware of children and pets in a vehicle. The National Weather Service recommends people to not leave their children or pets unattended in a car.

The temperature inside of a car can be between 10-20 degrees more than outside.