It’s going to be hot, hazy and moderately unhealthy to be outside today (Thursday).
The National Weather Service just issued a Heat Advisory, starting at 11 a.m. and remaining in effect until 8 p.m. tonight. That’s on top of the earlier Code Orange air quality alert, amid the sweltering weather and smoke from wildfires in Canada and Minnesota.
More on the heat, from the National Weather Service:
Heat Advisory issued July 16 at 9:55AM EDT by NWS Baltimore MD/Washington DC
HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 A.M. TO 8 P.M. EDT THURSDAY.
* WHAT…Heat index values around 105.
* WHERE…Washington DC, and portions of central, northeast, northern, and southern Maryland, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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.
For the second day in a row, the heat is impacting Arlington parks and rec programming. More from DPR:
Due to excessive heat, Parks & Recreation and partner outdoor programming at County outdoor facilities, including league practices and games, will be moved indoors or canceled during the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, July 15: 2-6 p.m.
- Thursday, July 16: 1-7 p.m.
Impacts to programming at Arlington County community centers, parks, or facilities will be communicated directly to program participants via email. Should the weather change, programmatic updates will also be communicated directly to participants.
Summer Camp Programming: In the event of summer camp relocations, early closings, or cancellations, program participants will be notified directly via email and phone call or text.
Consider limiting time outside and beat the heat with these hot weather tips for keeping cool.
Visit our libraries or community centers for free places to spend time indoors.
Meanwhile, the Code Orange alert is encouraging people, particularly those sensitive to air pollution, to stay inside whenever possible and refrain from outdoor exercise.
…AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY JULY 16 2026…
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for Northern Virginia.
A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
For more information on ground-level ozone and fine particles visit the web site Virginia DEQ air quality web site at www.deq.virginia.gov
The air pollution is at least in part due to northern wildfires. From the Associated Press:
Thousands of visitors have been told to evacuate a remote Minnesota wilderness area because of wildfires sending heavy smoke across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. More than 100 wildfires are burning in Canada, with winds carrying the smoke southeast. Warnings about unhealthy air conditions extended from Minnesota through Toronto and into New York. Rangers are working to evacuate 6,000 to 10,000 campers from the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Severe drought and heat have created a busy wildfire season. Officials warn that large fires could burn for months, affecting air quality across several states.
