Heat Index Already Over 105 Degrees As Maryland Sizzles

BALTIMORE, MD — This heat is dangerous, it can quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke. Be safe and stay cool this weekend. An excessive heat warning is in effect for the state until 9 p.m. Sunday, while an excessive heat watch is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Here's when it will feel like 110 degrees — or hotter — this weekend.

Heat and humidity will combine for heat index values, or "feels like" temperatures, of 110 degrees this weekend. The National Weather Service says it's possible it could feel like 110 to 115 degrees or greater Saturday and Sunday with temperatures of 100 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, and dewpoints in the 70s.

In addition, air quality will be poor in the region. The Maryland Department of Environment has issued a Code Orange air quality alert due to ozone pollution for Saturday in the Baltimore metro. The air is particularly unhealthy for children, older adults, and people with respiratory and heart ailments. This risk is made worse due to the excessive heat watch, so all residents should limit outdoor activities, the agency said.

Communities included in the heat warning and watch include: all or parts of Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties, along with Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, the city of Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

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.

Here's a timeline of the "feels like" temperature throughout the weekend:

• 2 p.m. Saturday: 114 degrees
• 5 p.m. Saturday: 110 degrees
• 11 p.m. Saturday: 99 degrees
• 5 a.m. Sunday: 92 degrees
• 8 a.m. Sunday: 99 degrees
• 11 a.m. Sunday: 110 degrees
• 2 p.m. Sunday: 112 degrees
• 5 p.m. Sunday: 107 degrees
• 8 p.m. Sunday: 103 degrees
• Midnight Sunday: 93 degrees
• 6 a.m. Monday: 79 degrees

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency - call 911.

Ready.gov has the following tips for anyone in an area with an extreme heat warning:

• Find air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Watch for heat illness.
• Wear light clothing.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.
• Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
• Keep your home cool by doing the following:
• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Add insulation to keep the heat out.
• Use attic fans to clear hot air.
• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.

Here's the latest Maryland forecast:

Friday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 111. Southwest wind 3 to 6 mph.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 83. West wind 3 to 5 mph.

Saturday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 114. West wind 3 to 6 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 84. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Sunday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. West wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%.