Dangerous Heat Friday, Weekend Worse: Maryland Weather Forecast

BALTIMORE, MD — Remember how miserably hot Thursday was? Well, Friday will feel just like it, and Saturday will be even worse. Really.

A heat advisory is in effect for much of Maryland from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12.

High temperatures will climb into the 90s on Friday, but it will feel like 105 degrees outside, according to the National Weather Service.

During a heat advisory, high temperatures and high humidity create an environment where heat-related illnesses are possible.

These areas are under the advisory:

The city of Baltimore and the District of Columbia, plus Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford counties. That includes the cities of Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, and Aberdeen.

People without air conditioning or those working outside are at risk for heat-related illness.

An excessive heat watch remains in effect from Saturday afternoon through Saturday night, when the "feels like" temperature could reach 110 degrees as the actual high creeps close to 100 degrees.

The Weather Service says an excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures is possible. Prepare for extreme temperatures and high humidity, which would create a situation in which heat illnesses are expected.

Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, can be fatal if not treated immediately. It occurs when the body's temperature rises rapidly and the sweating mechanism fails, leading to overheating without a way to cool down.

Symptoms include confusion; slurred speech; seizures; hot, dry skin or extreme sweating; altered mental status; very high body temperature; and loss of consciousness/coma. If someone exhibits signs of heat-related illness, move the person to a cool, shaded area and call 911.

Here's the weekend weather forecast:

Friday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 3pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Heat index values as high as 107. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Friday night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 82. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 109. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 81. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 96. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

How to Stay Safe in the Heat

• Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
• Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed by a physician.
• Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
• Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
• Stay inside when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, go to the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool; they simply circulate the air.
• Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.

Temperatures are not going down anytime soon. Through Sunday, a hot and humid airmass will make it feel like 105 on the heat index, weather officials say.

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