MD Heat Wave: Triple Digits, Air Quality Prompt Alerts

MARYLAND — Sweltering heat and poor air quality have prompted a couple of weather alerts in the Baltimore-Washington region Thursday.

Heat indices up to 105 degrees are possible Thursday afternoon in central Maryland, according to the National Weather Service.

Baltimore's health commissioner has declared an extreme heat alert through Friday.

“Excessive heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States," Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa said in a statement. "The effects of extreme heat are exacerbated in urban areas, especially when combined with high humidity and poor air quality."

In the Baltimore metro area, temperatures are likely to reach 103 degrees on the heat index around 2 and 4 p.m. Thursday. The heat index is what it feels like outside with humidity factored in along with the actual temperature.

Here's the hour-by-hour forecast for Baltimore on Thursday, Aug. 26:

Noon — 89 degrees; 98 degrees on heat index

1 p.m. — 92 degrees; 101 degrees on heat index

2 p.m. — 94 degrees; 103 degrees on heat index

3 p.m. — 94 degrees; 102 degrees on heat index

4 p.m. — 94 degrees; 103 degrees on heat index

5 p.m. — 92 degrees; 101 degrees on heat index

6 p.m. — 91 degrees; 100 degrees on heat index

7 p.m. — 88 degrees; 96 degrees on heat index

8 p.m. — 85 degrees; 92 degrees on heat index

9 p.m. — 83 degrees; 90 degrees on heat index

10 p.m. — 82 degrees; 88 degrees on heat index

11 p.m. — 81 degrees; 86 degrees on heat index

Here are ways to stay safe in the heat:

• Hydrate.
• Stay in air-conditioning.
• Remain out of the sun.
• Do not leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Find a cooling center in Maryland.

So far this season, officials say 10 people — nine of them men – have died from heat-related illness in Maryland. Three heat-related deaths occurred during the week of Aug. 17 to 23, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

Another reason people will want to stay out of the heat Thursday is the air quality.

These jurisdictions are under a code orange air quality alert Thursday, Aug. 26:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Carroll County
• Cecil County
• Charles County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• St. Mary's County

The Maryland Department of the Environment issues a "code orange" alert when pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children, older adults, heart/lung disease sufferers and asthmatics are considered sensitive.

To minimize the effects from the air quality, officials avoiding outdoor and strenuous activities for those in sensitive groups.

On top of heat and poor air quality, the National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook for central Maryland Thursday due to the possibility of a severe thunderstorm capable of producing damaging wind gusts with isolated cases of flash flooding in the afternoon and evening.

See the latest forecast for the Baltimore-Washington region from the National Weather Service.