115 Heat Index Monday, Excessive Heat Watch Issued For MD

BALTIMORE, MD — A sweltering blend of heat and humidity will blast Maryland on Sunday, the National Weather Service predicts, with the "feels like" temperature soaring past 110 degrees to start the work week.

While the forecast high in much of Maryland will be near 99 degrees, it could feel like 106 degrees on Sunday and feel like 110 to 115 degrees on Monday, the weather service said.

A heat advisory is in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday for portions of the District of Columbia, central, northern and western Maryland, northern and northwest Virginia, as well as the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Then an excessive heat watch goes into effect from noon to 8 p.m. on Monday, according to the National Weather Service. The 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.

Heat index values — what the temperature feels like to people as heat and humidity combine — are expected to reach between 105 and 109 degrees through 8 p.m. Sunday, the NWS said. Heat index values between 110 and 115 degrees are possible Monday afternoon and early evening.

The heat watch includes Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City, and Aberdeen.

Communities covered by the heat advisory include: Hagerstown, Frederick, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen, along with Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties.

Bel Air remains under a heat advisory on Monday with slightly cooler temperatures.

Also, a hazardous weather outlook has been posted for the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay, Tidal Potomac River, and adjacent counties in central Maryland and northern Virginia as well as the District of Columbia.

The high heat and humidity pose the risk of illness. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors, the National Weather Service said. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing.

Anne Arundel County has opened cooling centers until 10 p.m. Tuesday at county police district station community rooms.

Residents, especially those with underlying health conditions, are urged to plan ahead for the extreme heat event. Prolonged exposure to the high temperatures and humidity can cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or cramps — and heat stroke in severe cases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of symptoms to watch for and what to do in situations of heat stroke, heat exhaustion and heat cramps.

Health officials say Marylanders should stay inside during the heat wave, limit exposure to the sun, drink plenty of water and wear loose, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Residents should also check on neighbors with health issues or those without air conditioning.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency and you should call 9 1 1.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that if you need to go to a cooling center, wear a cloth face covering. While you are there, wash your hands with soap, or use hand sanitizer, often.

Face covers should not be used by children under the age of 2. They also should not be used by people having trouble breathing, or who are unconscious, injured, or can't remove the mask themselves.

Here is the National Weather Service weather forecast for the next week in Maryland:

Sunday: Isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 80. South wind 3 to 7 mph.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. West wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 30%.