Temperatures in the 80s and 90s shoved the region into summer this week, and forecasters say there?s more hot weather coming.
When heat forced Baltimore City schools to close early Tuesday, the Recreation Department opened its centers early to accommodate children.
“The pools actually do not open until June 24,” said Recreation Department spokeswoman Kia McLeod.
“However, if we keep on this path of hot days, I?m sure we?ll consider opening them earlier.”
In Montgomery County, firefighters suspended noncritical outdoor activity, while Prince George?s County schools took it easy on outdoor sports.
“It did surprise a lot of people,” said Alexandria?s emergency management coordinator, Mark Penn, “but we didn?t get any heat advisories from the weather service, so we didn?t put out any warnings.”
Temperatures reached the low 90s Tuesday but dipped into to the 80s Wednesday and are expected to remain there today. The National Weather Service is calling for slightly cooler weather in the 70s through the weekend, with more 80-degree weather rolling in by Tuesday.
When the hot weather does come to stay, Penn said, the city advises people to limit outdoor activity and take advantage of the city?s libraries, recreation centers and shopping malls to get cool. Montgomery firefighters spent much of Tuesday heeding similar advice, said Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.
“When the heat index reaches 94 degrees, fire and rescue personnel are advised to suspend all strenuous outside nonemergency activities,” he said.
“High heat this early in the season means that most people?s bodies are not accustomed to the warm outdoor conditions.”
The District of Columbia reported Code Orange air quality for potentially harmful ozone pollution Wednesday, brought on by higher temperatures early in the week.
Ozone can have harmful effects on the elderly, young children and people who are ill, and the District Department of Health advised the public to limit outdoor activity.
High ozone concentrations are unusual this early in the year, officials said.
Know your limits
Knowing the symptoms of heat exposure can prevent serious heat illness:
» Heat cramps: Painful muscle spasms in the abdomen or legs
» Heat exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin, dizziness, nausea and weakness.
» Heat stroke: Red, hot, dry skin, weak pulse, rapid breathing and changes in consciousness. Call 911.
Source: Montgomery County Fire and Rescue
