NWS Issues Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Heat Advisory

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Arlington and the surrounding region through 9:00 tonight.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say scattered thunderstorms this afternoon and evening may produce damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.

The area is also under a heat advisory. From NWS:

…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* HEAT INDEX VALUES…AROUND 105 DEGREES.

* MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES…AROUND 100 IN THE CITIES…UPPER 90S ELSEWHERE EAST OF THE MOUNTAINS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL COMBINE TO 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 ON ELDERLY RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE.

NEVER LEAVE SMALL CHILDREN OR PETS UNATTENDED IN VEHICLES. TEMPERATURES INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAN RAPIDLY CLIMB TO 130 DEGREES.

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.

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