Latest Heat Wave Forecast: Virginia Weather

The region is preparing for an extended heat wave, beginning Friday. The temperatures are expected to be so severe, President Barack Obama asked his Twitter followers to "stay safe" and check on neighbors.

With temperatures barely reaching 90 degrees Thursday, we'll notice the change as temps climb swiftly Friday. The heat index, or "feels like" temperature will be near 100 degrees by Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

Saturday's index will climb even higher and stay above 100 degrees all afternoon, and into the evening.

Sunday will again see highs near 100 degrees, but the worst may be Monday, with the heat index expected to reach 105 degrees.

During the heat wave, we may surpass one or more of the daily record high temperatures, according to The Weather Channel.

With the heat expected to continue into the next week, we've likely reached the dreaded dog days of summer, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Patelok noted

"While the heat will throttle back a bit next week, temperatures and humidity levels will probably not come down in the mid-Atlantic like earlier this summer," Pastelok said in an AccuWeather post.

Here's the latest forecast, including actual temperatures, according to the National Weather Service:

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.

Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Chance of precipitation is 40%.