(Updated at 9:50 a.m.) Arlington and the surrounding region is under a Heat Advisory today and an Excessive Heat Watch Saturday.
The National Weather Service says both today and tomorrow will feature a combination of high temperatures and high humidity that will push heat index values well into the 100s.
The Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network, meanwhile, says it has extended its hours and opened overflow space at the Homeless Services Center this weekend.
From a press release:
Arlington County and A-SPAN continue to offer extended services at the Homeless Services Center during the extreme heat to meet the needs of Arlington and our homeless neighbors. To help safeguard homeless individuals against the heat wave forecast through the weekend, the overflow space typically used during winter hypothermia season at the Homeless Services Center is open Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14.
Arlington County and A-SPAN feel that it is important to open the space so our homeless neighbors on the street have a cool place to be and sleep during the extreme heat. During the heat wave, the Homeless Services Center can accommodate 25 additional people each night.
“Arlington’s homeless population is struggling to stay hydrated and cool as temperatures continue soaring during the ongoing summer heat” notes A-SPAN president and CEO Kathleen Sibert. “Keeping the Center open year-round and electing to open the typically reserved winter hypothermia space to clients during this weekend’s heat wave will be critical in keeping individuals cool and safe” says Sibert.
The Homeless Services Center is located at 2020A 14th Street North in the Courthouse neighborhood of Arlington.
The Heat Advisory, from NWS:
HEAT ADVISORY FROM 12PM EDT FRI UNTIL 8PM EDT FRI
… EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING…
* HEAT INDEX VALUES… AROUND 105 TODAY AND POSSIBLY GREATER THAN 110 SATURDAY.
* TEMPERATURES… MID TO UPPER 90S FRIDAY AND AROUND 100 DEGREES SATURDAY.
The Excessive Heat Watch:
EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH FROM 12PM EDT SAT UNTIL 8PM EDT SAT
… EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING…
* HEAT INDEX VALUES… AROUND 105 TODAY AND POSSIBLY GREATER THAN 110 SATURDAY.
* TEMPERATURES… MID TO UPPER 90S FRIDAY AND AROUND 100 DEGREES SATURDAY.
* IMPACTS… RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR- CONDITIONING OR THOSE OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. 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 911.
AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES IS POSSIBLE. PREPARE FOR EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WHICH WOULD CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE EXPECTED.
A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HIGH TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.