Summary
Meteorologist Dalencia Jenkins says Friday will be hot and steamy as well as an impact weather day due to the potential heavy thunderstorms for the evening. The storms will start around 5 p.m. with brief but strong thunderstorms possible. They could bring damaging winds and even possible hail so be careful if you have to be out this evening. Temps will be in the high 80's to low 90's before settling in the mid 80's for a clear and pleasant weekend. Next week a heat wave will have temps in the 90's for most of the week.
It’s going to be hard to escape the heat, and even the humidity all week in Maryland.
SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS|WEATHER MAP|TRAFFIC|HOURLY FORECAST
Be sure to find a cool place this week, as it’s going to be hot and humid with back-to-back high temperatures at or above 90 degrees all seven days in Maryland.
|KEEP COOL:Cooling center locations across Baltimore area
Heat advisories have been issued north of Maryland and into New England.
A warm front out west on Monday will reach Maryland by the end of the week, bringing potentially dangerous heat conditions.
The temperatures will be higher than normal with impact days on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when the heat could get excessive.
|MORE:Oppressive heat wave will broil huge swaths of the East with record-breaking temperatures this week
So far this summer, the high temperature at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport reached 90 or above four times.
The average for a season is 34 days, the least amount of 90-degree days was eight in 1917 and the most was 59 days in 2010 and 2019.
The Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, is at 4:51 p.m. Thursday. However, the latest sunsets for Baltimore don’t happen until the end June 25-29, when the sun will set around 8:37 p.m.
Some reminders from health officials include drinking plenty of water; staying inside during the hottest time of the day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; never leaving children alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time; watching out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke; and never leaving your pets in a parked car, keep them safe by leaving them at home.
Baltimore City residents who want cooling center information can call 311. Individuals having a heat-related medical emergency or who are experiencing the signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke should call 911.
|ALSO:Baltimore City pools open for summer: Here’s the schedule
How to tell when you’re in the danger zone:
Medical experts are reminding everyone that extreme heat can be very dangerous.
Emergency room physician Dr. Omoyemi Adebayo told 11 News there are three stages of heat-related illness, and there are specific symptoms you should pay very close attention to.
|MORE:Know these symptoms to avoid heat-related illnesses
The first stage is heat cramps, when your muscles cramp up. This often happens to people exercising and not hydrating enough.
Next is heat exhaustion.
“Headaches, nausea, sometimes vomiting, typically patients will become cool and clammy — this is the result of the body’s inability to properly cool itself,” Adebayo said.
|VIDEO BELOW:Important signs of heat-related illness and how to respond
The third stage is heat stroke, which is life-threatening.
“Red hot skin, very dry skin, your heart rate will usually be very elevated, and one of the defining pieces is that your core temperature actually is above 105 degrees Fahrenheit. So as you can imagine, with your core temperature that high, it leads to a number of issues — brain dysfunction, people can have seizures, coma or death as a result of that,” Adebayo said.
Who’s at particular risk:
The very young, less than 4 or 5 years old, and older people, more than 60-65 years old, are most vulnerable — especially those who live in urban environments where concrete and asphalt create higher temperatures.
Adebayo said if you do plan on being outside for work or exercise, stay ahead of things by drinking two to four 8-ounce glasses of water every one to two hours.
What to do if you feel symptoms:
If you start to feel symptoms of heat exhaustion, get out of the sun and seek air conditioning immediately. You should hydrate — water is preferable, but other liquids will do. However, avoid caffeine and alcohol.
Experts said if you witness someone having what appears to be heat stroke, you need to cool their body down right away. If you can, place ice in their armpits and groin area. If they are conscious, try to get them to drink something.
Of course, call 911. Heat stroke is a medical emergency.
Tips to stay cool:
– Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine
– Reduce outside activities and stay inside in air-conditioned locations
– Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles, even for short periods of time
– Check on older, sick or frail neighbors who may need help responding to the heat
Tips to lower energy bills:
Baltimore Gas and Electric offers the following tips to try to lower energy bills amid hot weather.
– Maintain your air-conditioning system: Warm weather energy expenses are related to cooling your home. Regular maintenance will keep your system running at peak efficiency.
– Manage your thermostat: Keep thermostats at a constant, comfortable level when at home. Raise the thermostat setting for days of extreme heat. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you’re away or sleeping.
– Close window shades and blinds: Close curtains, windows shades and blinds to block heat from sunlight, which can make your A/C work harder.
– Reduce kitchen heat: Delay the use of major, heat-generating household appliances — such as ovens, stoves, dishwashers and dryers — until after 9 p.m. when the temperature begins to drop.
– Keep the air moving: Use ceiling fans with blades rotating counterclockwise or portable fans to circulate air.
– Take shorter hot showers: Heating water is the second biggest energy drain in the home.
– Turn it off: Turn off non-essential appliances, electronics and other devices.
– Conserve with lighting: Turn off unnecessary lights and use LEDs, which use up to 90% less energy that CLF bulbs.
– Use “MyAccount” online tools: Track your energy usage in near-real time, measure energy-saving practices, and set high-usage alerts withMyAccount.
Alert Days vs. Impact Days
You may see the WBAL-TV 11 Weather Team highlight Alert Days or Impact Days in the forecasts. Here’s what that means:
– An Impact Day is when weather will likely disrupt your normal daily schedule or routine.
– An Alert Day is when there’s a threat of extreme, severe and possibly life-threatening weather.
