The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the region today. Temperatures are now expected to climb as high as 103 today and 102 tomorrow, according to forecasters.

From Arlington Alerts:

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory, effective from 11AM to 9PM on Friday (today). This Heat Advisory replaces the Excessive Heat Watch. Humidity will increase, and Heat Index values are forecast to meet or exceed 105 degrees. The high temperature is expected to be in the upper 90s to 100. Additionally, there is a 30% possibility of thunderstorms, most likely in the mid afternoon through the evening, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Citizens should prepare for the possibility of excessive heat occuring on any day between now and late next week.  Precautions for heat:

* Drink plenty of fluids
* Stay indoors in an air-conditioned room whenever possible
* Stay out of direct sunlight
* Do not leave children or pets in vehicles
* Check up on neighbors, particularly the elderly and sick
* Wear light colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothing
* Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke
(further info: http://bit.ly/heatillness )

Metro will allow bottled water on trains, on buses, and in stations through at least Monday: http://bit.ly/MetroHeat

An Excessive Heat Watch is also in effect for Saturday. From the National Weather Service:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH… IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES… AROUND 105 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON. UP TO 110 DEGREES SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

* TEMPERATURES… AROUND 100 DEGREES THIS AFTERNOON AND SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

* IMPACT… RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR OTHER HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONING OR THOSE SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS… STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ROOM… STAY OUT OF THE SUN… AND CHECK IN ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK… THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS IN SHADED OR AIR-CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE IS AN EMERGENCY – CALL 9 1 1.