Timeline For Week-Long Heat Wave In Virginia

You've already gotten a taste of some 90-plus highs in Virginia in the last week or so. Get ready for as many as nine straight days of it, according to a report.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says that a major heat wave that technically started Thursday and will continue well into next week will feature nine straight days where the high will be at least 90, with the hottest stretch from Saturday through Tuesday where highs will be mid-90s or higher.

But it's not just the heat, it's the humidity. CWG says you'll be able to tack on another 5 to 10 degrees to what it feels like due to "oppressive" humidity levels, especially starting Sunday. That means it will feel above 100 degrees for multiple days.

And the humidity will be bad. Sometimes, the dew points will be higher than 75, which is insanely muggy.

Why is this happening? CWG points to an area of high pressure that is centered over the Northeast that will expand to cover much of the United States.

A weak cool front could move into the region by the middle of next week, which could bring us some relief. But then again, July is upon us, so you have to expect that this is just what you get in the D.C. region.

Here is the full forecast timeline from the National Weather Service for Reagan National Airport in Arlington:

Today
Sunny, with a high near 93. North wind around 6 mph.

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 73. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Saturday
Sunny
and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 103. Light
and variable wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 74. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Sunday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Light and variable wind.

Sunday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 96.

Monday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Tuesday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 75.

Independence Day
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Thursday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

At this time of year, it's always good to be reminded of the risks of high heat.

"Extreme Heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards," according to Ready.gov. "In most of the United States, extreme heat is defined as a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body."

Ready.gov has the following tips for anyone in an area with an extreme heat warning:

Find air conditioning.
Avoid strenuous activities.
Watch for heat illness.
Wear light clothing.
Check on family members and neighbors.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car.
Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
Keep your home cool by doing the following:
Cover windows with drapes or shades.
Weather-strip doors and windows.
Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
Add insulation to keep the heat out.
Use attic fans to clear hot air.
Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.

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