As Temperatures Near 100, County Libraries Act As Cooling Centers

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA ? With temperatures expected to get close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, libraries are acting as cooling centers in Prince William County.

Temperatures are projected to be especially high from Thursday into next week. On Wednesday, the National Weather Service anticipates a high temperature of 95 in northern Virginia with heat index values up to 100. Thursday's heat index could reach 104 with a high temperature of 97. High index values are typically the result of high temperatures combined with humidity.

Below are the library locations around Prince William County. Residents should note that the Bull Run library is currently closed for renovations, and the Gainesville library does not have a functioning air conditioning system.

• Central Library
  • 8601 Mathis Avenue, Manassas, VA 20110?5270
• Chinn Park Library
  • 13065 Chinn Park Drive, Woodbridge, VA 22192?5073
• Dale City Library
  • 4249 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA 22193
• Dumfries Library
  • 18115 Triangle Shopping Plaza, Dumfries, VA 22026?2579
• Independent Hill Library
  • George Hellwig Memorial Park, 14418 Bristow Road, Manassas, VA 20112?3932
• Lake Ridge Library
  • Tackett?s Mill Shopping Center (Upper Level) 2239 Old Bridge Road, Woodbridge, VA 22192-3007
• Manassas City Library
  • 10104 Dumfries Road, Manassas, VA 20110
• Montclair Library
  • 5049 Waterway Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025-1259
• Nokesville Library
  • 12993 Fitzwater Drive, Nokesville, VA 20181-2229
• Potomac Library
  • 2201 Opitz Boulevard, Woodbridge, VA 22191-3309

Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, cramps, or heat stroke. A heat-related illness can result from the body heating too quickly and not being able to properly cool itself or through dehydration or sweating. Local officials are encouraging residents to limit exposure to the sun, stay indoors, drink plenty of water, and wear loose, lightweight, and light-colored clothing.

Heat exhaustion can involve symptoms like heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness, cool and clammy skin, fast and weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache or fainting. A person experiencing heat exhaustion should be moved to a cooler area and given cool, wet cloths or a cool bath.

Heat stroke is considered more serious and can involve a throbbing headache; confusion; nausea; dizziness; body temperature above 103 degrees; hot, red, dry or damp skin; rapid and strong pulse; or fainting. In this case, call 911 or take the person to a hospital immediately while moving the person to a cooler area and using cool clothes or bath. A person experiencing heat stroke should not be given fluids.

Residents can learn more about heat-related illness symptoms and how to respond from the National Weather Service.

Below is the forecast for the coming days in northern Virginia, courtesy of the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 95 and heat index values as high as 100. At night, temperatures will reach a low of 78.

Thursday: Sunny and hot with a high near 97 and heat index values up to 104. A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms and a low around 74.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 96 and low around 75.

Saturday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99 and low near 77.

Sunday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 100 and low around 78.