VA/DC Weather: Heat Index Could Reach 105 With Long Heat Wave In Store

VIRGINIA/DC — Be sure to take the necessary precautions on Thursday because forecasters are predicting it may feel like it is more than 105 degrees in D.C. and Virginia. By Sunday, the heat index could hover near 110 degrees.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the D.C. area from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. The heat wave will likely continue through the weekend, with temperatures forecast to hit 100 degrees on Sunday.

On Thursday, heat index values could reach 105 to 109 degrees, WUSA9 reported.

An isolated severe thunderstorm with damaging winds is possible Thursday afternoon, mainly south of D.C., according to the NWS.

“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur,” the NWS said. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.”

Temperatures over the next few days may climb to levels that have not been felt for 10 years in some locations, AccuWeather meteorologists warned.

By Sunday, about 160 million Americans are expected to experience a heat index of 100 degrees or higher, according to AccuWeather.

“Washington, D.C., is in the midst of its first official heat wave of the summer as the temperature hit 90 degrees or higher for three days in a row as of Wednesday, after the daily high of 91. The heat wave will persist for much of the rest of July,” AccuWeather said.

If temperatures at Reagan National Airport reaches 100 degrees on Saturday or Sunday, it would be the first triple-digit reading there since Aug. 15, 2016.

"There's no way to sugarcoat the next few days," NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell said Thursday. "It will be an ugly and dangerous stretch of hot weather, peaking on Sunday. There will be a slight drop in humidity for Friday and Saturday, but Sunday the steaminess will return. Heat index on Sunday will hover near 110 degrees."

During extreme heat, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged in many ways, according to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments, according to the NWS.

For your dogs, try to take them on walks in the morning or evening. If you must take them for a walk midday, make sure the walks are short and on the shady side of the street. Asphalt temperatures felt by their paws are much higher than the air temperatures.

Here's the NWS forecast for the close-in suburbs of D.C. for the next few days:

Thursday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 103.

Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 94.

Friday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Saturday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 79.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 93.