After a week with high temperatures in the mid-90s and numerous heat advisories, Beaufort County and much of eastern North Carolina should get some slight relief from the oppressive heat, according to forecasters.

Today, according to the National Weather Service, highs are expected to be in the upper 80s, which will continue into Tuesday and Wednesday. For Thursday, the highs are expected to return to the low 90s. Through Friday, showers and thunderstorms are forecast, with the chances of rain from 30 percent to 40 percent.

A weak cold front was expected to move into the area over the weekend and remain through Tuesday, according to the NWS office in Newport. It will move northward as a warm front moves into the area Wednesday, according to forecasters. A trough of low pressure is expected to form west of the coastal plain Thursday and Friday.

There were about 655 emergency room visits for heat-related illness between June 12 and July 2, according to a North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services report issued Thursday. Most of those heat-related illnesses occurred in people working outdoors, gardening, playing sports and working in buildings without air conditioning, according to the report.

So far this season, there have been 1,076 emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect anyone, especially people who work outside or in hot inside environments such as some manufacturing jobs. The Mayo Clinic offers the following advice to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

• wear loose-fitting, light-weight and light-colored clothing;

• avoid sunburn;

• seek cooler places;

• drink plenty of fluids;

• avoid hot spots (inside of a parked car);

• let your body acclimate to the heat.

“It’s best not to exercise or do any strenuous activity in hot weather, but if you must, follow the same precautions and rest frequently in a cool spot. Taking breaks and replenishing your fluids during that time will help your body regulate your temperature,” reads the Mayo Clinic website.

Heatstroke symptoms include the following:

• high body temperature — a body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher is the main sign of heatstroke.

• altered mental state or behavior — confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.

• alteration in sweating — in heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel moist.

• nausea and vomiting — you may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

• flushed skin — your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.

• rapid breathing — your breathing may become rapid and shallow.

• racing heart rate — your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.

• headache — your head may throb.

Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Left untreated, heatstroke can cause brain, heart, kidney and muscle damage. Damage worsens the longer treatment is delayed, increasing the risk of serious complications or death.