Cobb Schools Limit Outdoor Practices

Football practice is underway on one of the hottest weeks of the year, and today's extreme heat index has caused the Cobb County School District to cancel outdoor sports and band practice from noon to 6 p.m. 

The mercury is expected to peak just under the 100-degree mark today, along with a heat index value as high as 104, reports the National Weather Service. Thursday's forecast calls for a high near 97 and the heat index as high as 103.

Other school districts are implementing similar measures. The city of Marietta schools anticipated the high temperatures and heat index and have had practice all this week from 6:30-9:30 p.m. with the option of moving indoors if needed, according to Marietta Patch.

Tuesday offered tragic reminders of the dangers of practicing in the heat, as two Georgia high school football players died, most likely from heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

The Walton High School football team had an early morning practice Wednesday, then traveled for a late-morning workout at the Georgia Dome, where the Raiders will open their season on Aug. 20.