Weather service predicts abnormally high humidity — even for D.C. Temperatures could rise above 100 degrees by the end of the week Washington-area residents suffered through temperatures reaching 91 degrees and a Code Orange air quality alert on Monday, driving them out of the sweltering sun and indoors to the safety of cold water and air conditioning.
And that’s about as nice as it will get this week, according to Chris Vaccaro, spokesman for the National Weather Service.
| Staying cool |
| • Drink two to four glasses of cold water every hour. |
| • Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages. |
| • Stay indoors in an air-conditioned area. |
| • If you must go outside, go out before noon or at night. |
| • Eat lots of light meals. |
| • Wear light-colored clothing and sunscreen outdoors. |
| • Never leave children or pets unattended in a car. |
| Source: Fairfax County government |
“It’s getting warm now, it’s getting stickier outside in D.C., but it’s going to get a lot worse,” he said.
A long-lasting heat wave is entering the Mid-Atlantic region, with the potential for record-breaking temperatures at all hours of the day and night into the weekend. The thermostat is expected to hover around 100 degrees later this week, with a strong possibility for Code Red air quality.
Combine the stifling heat with abnormally high humidity — even as far as D.C. summers go — and the heat index could reach as high as 115 degrees by Friday, according to Vaccaro.
Bowie resident Terence Stone has family flying into town from across the country for a reunion on the National Mall on Saturday, but the heat might require a different venue.
“We might have to change some plans,” he said. “Being from the Caribbean, I hate humidity. I can deal with the heat, but humidity is killer.”
Health officials are scrambling to keep residents hydrated and indoors as much as possible, and neighbors are encouraged to keep an eye on one another in what could literally become a killer heat wave.
“We are not opposed to going door to door to make sure people have what they need and are taken care of,” said Millicent West, director of the District’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.
Prince George’s County and District officials are opening dozens of cooling stations and community centers, pools and senior centers to give residents a place to get in the shade and rehydrate.
And officials in Montgomery and Fairfax counties are encouraging residents to use publicly accessible facilities such as pools and libraries as places to keep cool.
In the District, officials may even consider street showers if the heat becomes too unbearable by the end of the week. Residents are discouraged from opening up fire hydrants themselves, West said — let the fire department handle it if necessary.
Mark Brady, spokesman for the Prince George’s County fire department, said residents should check up on their neighbors and make sure the elderly are kept in a safe, air-conditioned environment.
“Some of them just absolutely refuse to use air conditioning, even if they have it. Some just don’t have it, and some can’t afford it,” Brady said. “They’ll sit in a hot, sweltering home until it’s too late.”
Bowie resident Dee Fisher, out Monday with her granddaughter at the Bowie Town Center, said she’s taking Brady’s advice.
“I’m going to stay indoors and breathe,” said Fisher, who has no plans to spend another day walking at the outdoor shopping center. “Maybe I’ll go outside if it’s cooler in the evening, but other than that I’m not going out again.”
