Intense Heat Wave To Start Weekend In McLean: Report

MCLEAN, VA—If 90-plus highs in the past week weren't enough to make us feel like we're in the dead of summer, get ready for a nine straight days of it.

A new report from The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang says that a major heat wave that technically started Thursday and will continue well into next week will feature nine straight days where the high will be at least 90, with the hottest stretch from Saturday through Tuesday where highs will be mid-90s or higher.

But it's not just the heat, it's the humidity. CWG says you'll be able to tack on another 5 to 10 degrees to what it feels like due to "oppressive" humidity levels, especially starting Sunday. That means it will feel above 100 degrees for multiple days.

And the humidity will be bad. Sometimes, the dew points will be higher than 75, which is insanely muggy.
Why is this happening? CWG points to an area of high pressure that is centered over the Northeast that will expand to cover much of the United States.

A weak cool front could move into the region by the middle of next week, which could bring us some relief. But then again, July is upon us, so you have to expect that this is just what you get in the D.C. region.

Weekend forecast for McLean

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 91. Low of 70 at night.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 96 and a clear night around 72.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 96. Expect a low around 73 at night.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 95 and a low of 76 at night.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. The night will be clear with a low around 74.

Tips for beating the heat

At this time of year, it's always good to be reminded of the risks of high heat.

"Extreme Heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards," according to Ready.gov. "In most of the United States, extreme heat is defined as a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body."

Ready.gov has the following tips for anyone in an area with an extreme heat warning:

• Find air conditioning.
• Avoid strenuous activities.
• Watch for heat illness.
• Wear light clothing.
• Check on family members and neighbors.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
• Never leave people or pets in a closed car.
• Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.

Keep your home cool by doing the following:

• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Use window reflectors, such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
• Add insulation to keep the heat out.
• Use attic fans to clear hot air.
• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
• Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness.

Reporting by Patch editor Dan Taylor

Image via National Weather Service