105 Heat Index For Maryland; Heat Advisory Issued Aug. 28

ANNAPOLIS, MD — After a break from sizzling temperatures, summer is back with a vengeance Tuesday as daytime highs will reach scorching feels-like temps of 105 degrees across much of Maryland, leading the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory. The advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m.

Forecasters expect a heat index up to 105 with temperatures in the mid 90s. A heat advisory refers to a prolonged period of high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, these conditions make heat-related illnesses more likely. Forecasters caution that long exposure to the conditions outside could cause heat stress.

Anyone who works outside should take caution and limit strenuous activities to the early morning or evening when possible. If outside work cannot be avoided, take frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Other steps residents can take include wearing loose, light clothing, drinking plenty of water and knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Call 911 in the situation of heat stroke.

The heat advisory applies to the District of Columbia, plus Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Charles, Montgomery and Howard counties. It includes the cities of Washington, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, and Ellicott City.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang predicts that Tuesday and Wednesday will be the two hottest days of August. There isn't much chance for relief until Thursday afternoon, when thunderstorms could sweep through the area.

An air quality has been issued, as well. For folks with asthma or heart conditions, the heat and humidity make being outdoors difficult. Authorities have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert Tuesday for the Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metro areas. A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups.

Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

In an area from Baltimore City to Aberdeen Proving Grounds, code Red or AQI considered “Unhealthy” is not out of the question, authorities said. In any case, with fine particulate concentrations also expected to be quite high, the combination of pollutants will make air quality in the region quite poor. A code orange “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” or USG will be maintained as the official forecast for the DC and Baltimore areas, with Moderate AQI elsewhere.

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Here's an early look at the forecast through Labor Day:

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 104. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind around 6 mph.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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

Labor Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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