Health & Fitness

Heat Index Values Up To 106 Expected In DC, Part Of NoVA

The National Weather Service is issuing a heat advisory for Thursday due to high heat index values.

A heat advisory includes DC and areas of Northern Virginia due to potential heat index values up to 106.
A heat advisory includes DC and areas of Northern Virginia due to potential heat index values up to 106. (Shutterstock)

VIRGINIA — Stock up on cold beverages and plan to spend time in the air conditioning, because forecasters expect heat index values up to 106 Thursday. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for DC and parts of Northern Virginia.

The heat advisory runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday. The heat index value up to 106 refers to the real-feel temperature when humidity combines with the air temperature.

Localities affected by the advisories include the District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Arlington County, Falls Church, Alexandria, King George County and several Maryland localities. Areas beyond the heat advisory like Prince William County and Loudoun County could also see heat index values above 100.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If residents need a place to cool down, check resources in their localities: District of Columbia, Arlington County, Fairfax County, City of Alexandria and Prince William County.

Forecasters warn high humidity and temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, cramps, or in more serious cases, heat stroke. A heat-related illness can result from the body heating too quickly and not being able to properly cool itself or through dehydration or sweating.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you notice someone experiencing signs of heat-related illness, they should be moved to a cool and shaded location. If there are signs of heat stroke (throbbing headache; confusion; nausea; dizziness; body temperature above 103 degrees; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse; or fainting), call 911.

Learn more about heat-related illness symptoms and how to respond from the National Weather Service.

For the heat advisory, the National Weather Service recommends:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids.
  • Staying in an air-conditioned room.
  • Staying out of the sun.
  • Checking up on relatives and neighbors.
  • Not leaving children and pets unattended in vehicles.
  • Rescheduling strenuous activities to the early morning or evening when possible.
  • Wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing when possible.
  • For outdoor work, frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas.

Here is the DC forecast for the coming days from the National Weather Service:

Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 97 and heat index values as high as 105. At night, partly cloudy with a low around 75 and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m.

Friday: Showers likely then a possible thunderstorm between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. At night, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 8 p.m., and mostly cloudy with a low around 74.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. and before 8 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. At night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 74.

Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. and partly cloudy with a low around 75.


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