(Updated at 1:10 p.m.) Arlington County — and much of the surrounding area — is under an Excessive Heat Warning today and Saturday, and an Excessive Heat Watch on Sunday.
Sweltering temperatures and high humidity will result in dangerous conditions for anyone spending time outside, forecasters say.
More from the National Weather Service:
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING… …EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM EDT SATURDAY… …EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING… THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON HAS ISSUED AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING, WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM EDT SATURDAY. THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT ON SATURDAY. * HEAT INDEX VALUES…UP TO 114 DUE TO TEMPERATURES AROUND 101, AND DEWPOINTS IN THE MID 70S. * IMPACTS…DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY COULD QUICKLY CAUSE HEAT STRESS OR HEAT STROKE IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL OCCUR. THE COMBINATION OF EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE EXPECTED. CHECK IN ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS. 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. 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. &&
#HEAT UPDATE: Today marks day 1 of 3 excessively hot and humid days for our region. Dangerous heat indices of 100-115 are expected. Stay hydrated and in shaded or air conditioned places, and check on your friends and neighbors. Heat safety tips: https://t.co/nm6p0Dmcbs. pic.twitter.com/Jb4u0DwSPs
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) July 19, 2019
An Excessive #Heat Warning and #Heat Advisory is in effect for much of the area on Saturday from 11 AM until 9 PM.
More information: https://t.co/7aoZQfOlek
Heat safety tips: https://t.co/RVqMNcBe6U pic.twitter.com/7BGbzljera— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) July 19, 2019
Arlington County has a number of tips for beating the heat, including:
- Drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids like water, even if you’re not thirsty.
- Wear light-weight, loose-fitting clothing.
- Stay cool by staying indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
- Schedule outdoor activities carefully and wear sunscreen.
- If you exercise outdoors, go in the morning or evening hours.
- Eat light, regular meals — avoid hot foods and heavy meals.
- Never leave anyone — infants, children, or pets — in a parked car.
- Know the signs of heat-related illness — these include:
- An extremely high body temperature (above 103°F)
- Red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
The county also advises residents to conserve electricity to help prevent brownouts from excessive power usage during the extreme heat.