Excessive Heat Warning In Harford County + 10 Places To Cool Off

BEL AIR, MD — Temperatures are expected to be dangerously hot in Harford County on Saturday, hitting 115 degrees on the heat index. It will be hottest in Harford at 2 p.m. based on the latest forecast. The National Weather Service has posted warnings and watches for most of Maryland, including Harford County, through Sunday.

Harford County is under an excessive heat warning from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, July 20. An excessive heat warning means a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.

People should take precautions like wearing lightweight clothing, drinking water, rescheduling strenuous activities to the early morning or evening and taking frequent breaks in the shade or air-conditioning if working outside; and they should not leave children or pets alone in hot cars for any amount of time.

So far this season, four people in Maryland have died from heat, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

An excessive heat watch is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday for much of the state, including Harford County. An excessive heat watch means a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures is possible, and people should prepare for extreme temperatures and high humidity.

Heat index values Saturday and Sunday may near 115 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The heat index reflects what it feels like due to the temperature and humidity combined.

As temperatures soar, air quality Saturday will also be unhealthy for some. A code orange air quality alert is in effect, meaning air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart ailments. They should avoid strenuous activities like outdoor exercise.

Those looking to find air conditioning for the next few days in Harford County can head to the nearest library branch. Harford County Public Library branches will open as cooling centers. Two branches will offer Sunday hours. A full list of locations and hours is at the bottom of the article.

Timeline To 113 Degrees In Harford County Saturday

It's going to feel like 113 degrees at the height of Saturday's heat in Harford County, based on the National Weather Service forecast, which shows the hottest time of day will be 2 p.m..

• 8 a.m.: Actual temp 84 degrees; heat index 92 degrees
• 9 a.m.: Actual temp 88 degrees, heat index 99 degrees
• 10 a.m.: Actual temp 91 degrees; heat index 105 degrees
• 11 a.m.: Actual temp 90 degrees; heat index 101 degrees
• 12 p.m.: Actual temp 95 degrees; heat index 110 degrees
• 1 p.m.: Actual temp 96 degrees; heat index 110 degrees
• 2 p.m.: Actual temp 98 degrees; heat index 113 degrees
• 3 p.m.: Actual temp 95 degrees; heat index 112 degrees
• 4 p.m.: Actual temp 96 degrees; heat index 112 degrees
• 5 p.m.: Actual temp 98 degrees; heat index 111 degrees
• 6 p.m.: Actual temp 99 degrees; heat index 107 degrees
• 7 p.m.: Actual temp 93 degrees; heat index 102 degrees
• 8 p.m.: Actual temp 90 degrees; heat index 98 degrees
• 9 p.m.: Actual temp 88 degrees; heat index 96 degrees
• 10 p.m.: Actual temp 86 degrees; heat index 94 degrees
• 11 p.m.: Actual temp 84 degrees; heat index 91 degrees

Stay Safe In The Heat

Heat illnesses can take several forms, from dizziness or cramps after exercising to heat stroke.

When a person experiences heat stroke, the body is unable to control its temperature and the result can be fatal. People who experience symptoms of heat stroke — confusion, staggering, faintness, dry flushed skin, lack of sweating and strong rapid pulse — should get immediate medical attention, according to the Harford County Health Department.

The Harford County Department of Emergency Services offers these tips for heat safety:

• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit sun exposure.
• Open your windows and use a fan if you don't have air conditioning.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity.
• Never leave children or pets alone in a closed vehicle.
• Check on elderly neighbors and other vulnerable citizens;
• Keep pets hydrated with access to shelter.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shady location.

Where To Cool Off In HarCo

Harford County will open these libraries as cooling centers from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday:

• Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen
• Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air
• Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood
• Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston
• Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace
• Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville
• Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa
• Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall
• Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford

The Darlington branch at 1134 Main Street in Darlington will be open 3-8 p.m. Wednesday; 12-5 p.m. Thursday; 1–5 p.m. Friday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The Aberdeen and Bel Air branches will offer special Sunday hours from noon to 5 p.m.

Get more information about Harford County Library branches.

Five-Day Forecast

This is the forecast for Bel Air from the National Weather Service:

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 106.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 113.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Showers and thunderstorms likely. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 80. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Chance of precipitation is 30%.