Heat Wave Will Make It Hard to Breathe: Forecasters

Baltimore, MD — Another day of blazing heat across Maryland on Thursday will make it feel like 102 degrees outside and degrade air quality, according to weather forecasters.

You can expect temperatures in the mid-90s through Saturday with the "feels like" heat index hitting 102 degrees from Baltimore to Washington, DC, on Thursday and a furnace-like 103 degrees on Friday, forecasters say.

"An official heat wave is likely to occur along the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia," writes AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rathbun. "This will be the hottest weather so far this year."

And after a short break the blistering heat will return by the middle of next week, according to AccuWeather = Meteorologist Paul Pastelok. "Episodes of heat, rather than steady heat, will continue in the Midwest and Northeast through much of the balance of July," Pastelok said.

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The sizzling heat will also worsen air conditions across several counties. The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a “code orange” air quality alert for Thursday, July 7.

The code orange air quality alert includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.

SEE ALSO:

• Heat + Humidity Boost Chances for Heat Stroke: Signs, Treatment
• Carroll County Opens Cooling Center Amid Soaring Temps
• Prince George's County Opens Cooling Centers to Fight Steamy Weather
• Anne Arundel County Opens Cooling Centers to Escape Steamy Temps

During a “code orange” weather alert, the air may be unhealthy for sensitive groups—such as children, older adults, asthmatics and those with heart and lung problems—due to pollution concentrations.

People can avoid the effects of air pollution by not exercising outside and abstaining from strenuous activity, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Here's the forecast for the area, according to the National Weather Service:

Thursday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 79. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 103. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 88.

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