Heat Advisory Issued For 17 MD Counties Plus Baltimore

MARYLAND — Marylanders may want to stay inside Thursday, as sweltering conditions and poor air quality are in the forecast for parts of the state.

Temperatures may feel like 110 degrees Thursday afternoon, prompting the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory. Parts of the state are also under an air quality alert.

Authorities issue a heat advisory when the combination of high temperatures and humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur.

"It's going to be one of the hottest days [Maryland] has seen this summer, so take extra precautions if you have to be outside to avoid heat-related illness," the Maryland Department of Health's Office of Preparedness & Response advised.

To avoid becoming ill, people should reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or evening; drink water; and wear loose, light-fitting clothing. Those working outside should take frequent breaks in shade or air-conditioning. Never leave children or pets alone in vehicles during a heat advisory, officials warn.

The heat advisory is in effect from noon to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12.

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

The District of Columbia, portions of central, northern and northwest Virginia and eastern West Virginia are also under the advisory.

On the Eastern Shore, a separate heat advisory is already in effect and runs through 8 p.m. on Thursday. Temperatures may feel like 107 degrees in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties, according to the heat advisory.

Find a cooling center in Maryland.

Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford and Howard counties and Baltimore City are under a "code orange" air quality alert Thursday.

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 advise people in sensitive groups to avoid outdoor and strenuous activities. For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the www.mde.state.md.us/air or call 410-537-3000.

A hazardous weather outlook for the region says that severe thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening, capable of damaging winds, large hail and flash flooding.