Excessive Heat Raises Concerns

Scorching weather that is sweaty and uncomfortable for some, can prove deadly for others.

Baltimore County Emergency Management officials say they're concerned about the triple-digit heat and high humidity that forecasters say is in store through this weekend.

Such high temperatures can cause heat-related illness and death, especially in infants and small children, young athletes, people over age 65, and those with special health conditions, according to a news release.

Emergency management officials urge everyone to take precautions:

• Stay indoors, preferably in an air conditioned space, as much as possible
• Schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day: before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothes
• Drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel thirsty
• Never leave children, pets or anyone else, inside a parked car
• Check on at-risk adults at least twice a day
• Monitor children for signs of heat-related illness

The forecast

The National Weather Service has in place an Excessive Heat Warning, through Wednesday, an Air Quality Alert and a Hazardous Weather Outlook.

According to the Pikesville forecast, the high temperature Friday is expected to be 101 degrees (a heat index of 112 degrees). It could be as high as 99 degrees (a heat index of 109 degrees) on Saturday. On Sunday, expect a high of about 93 degrees, according to the NWS.

Here comes the rain

Showers and thunderstorms are expected before 11 p.m., Friday, and after noon on Saturday and before 1 a.m. Sunday, and after noon on Sunday, according to the NWS. The chance for precipitation on those days is 30 percent chance.

Police on alert

Maryland State Police will be watching out for stranded motorists, and plan to help quickly while it's so hot outside.

Still, there are things motorists can do to stay safe:

• Bring along plenty of drinking water.
• Have a working cell phone
• Keep up your vehicle's maintenance, including the fluid levels.

And before you leave for a long drive, check for traffic by visiting www.marylandroads.com, and clicking on "commuter and travel," and then "live traffic."