Harford County Under Heat Advisory on Tuesday

We aren't finished with dangerous heat yet, according to forecasters. A heat advisory has been issued for Harford County from noon until 8 p.m. Tuesday. See cooling center locations at the end of the article.

The heat index, or "feels like" temperatures, will reach up to 109 degrees Tuesday afternoon in the region, according to the National Weather Service, which said actual temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90s.

The heat advisory encompasses Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Charles, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's and St. Mary's counties as well as the District of Columbia.

See Also: 2 Hospitalized from Heat in Harford

Scattered thunderstorms with the potential for strong winds are possible in the afternoon and evening.

People who don't have air conditioning or are spending extended periods outside will be at risk of heat-related illness, the weather service warns.

Heat Index ("feels like" temperature) in Bel Air:

• 8 a.m. — 75 degrees
• 9 a.m. — 78 degrees
• 10 a.m. — 89 degrees
• 11 a.m. — 96 degrees
• Noon — 100 degrees
• 1 p.m. — 103 degrees
• 2 p.m. — 105 degrees
• 3 p.m. — 106 degrees
• 4 p.m. — 105 degrees
• 5 p.m. — 103 degrees
• 6 p.m. — 101 degrees
• 7 p.m. — 95 degrees
• 8 p.m. — 92 degrees
• 9 p.m. — 88 degrees
• 10 p.m. — 84 degrees
• 11 p.m. — 78 degrees

Heat stroke, the most serious heat-related illness, can be fatal if not treated immediately. It occurs when the body's temperature rises rapidly and the sweating mechanism fails, leading to overheating without a way to cool down.

Symptoms of heat stroke include confusion; slurred speech; seizures; hot, dry skin or extreme sweating; altered mental status; very high body temperature; and loss of consciousness/coma. If someone exhibits signs of heat-related illness, move the person to a cool, shaded area and call 911.

Stay Safe in Heat

• Reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Wear light and loose fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water.

Those working outside should take frequent breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned environment.

Harford County Opens 11 Cooling Centers

On Tuesday, Aug. 16, Harford County Public Library branches will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours — 1 to 8 p.m.:

• Bel Air – 100 E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Bel Air, MD 21014; hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Aberdeen – 21 Franklin Street, Aberdeen, MD 21001
• Abingdon – 2510 Tollgate Road Abingdon, MD 21009
• Darlington – 1134 Main Street, Darlington, MD 21034; hours are 3 to 8 p.m.
• Edgewood – 629 Edgewood Road, Edgewood, MD 21040
• Fallston – 1461 Fallston Road, Fallston, MD 21047
• Havre de Grace – 120 N. Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
• Jarrettsville – 3722 Norrisville Road, Jarrettsville, MD 21084
• Joppa – 655 Towne Center Drive, Joppa, MD 21085
• Norrisville – 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall, MD 21161
• Whiteford – 2407 Whiteford Road, Whiteford, MD 21160

Temperatures will cool only slightly on Wednesday, before dropping to the upper 80s on Thursday.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock.

—By Elizabeth Janney and Greg Hambrick