Region braces for most intense heat in years
Health warnings issued with highs in upper 90s expected through Monday
What could be the region’s longest heat wave in years is forecast to broil Baltimore through the weekend, possibly peaking Monday with the first triple-digit temperatures since 2012.
Highs are forecast in the mid- to upper 90s today and Sunday as what meteorologists are calling a “heat dome” of high pressure settles over the eastern United States.
On Monday, a surge of humidity could make it feel as hot as 110 degrees.
The forecast prompted public officials to warn residents to do what they can to stay cool and be wary of heat-related illnesses. After reaching the upper 90s just a handful of times over the past four years, Baltimore could suffer three days of such temperatures in a row.
“We haven’t been as acclimated to this,” said Sean Naron, a spokesman for the Baltimore Health Department. “That’s why we’re urging caution.”
The heat wave began Thursday, the 11th day this month that the high at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport reached the 90-degree mark, and the most for any month since July 2012.
Temperatures reached at least 94 degrees Friday at BWI, the region’s point of record. That left many seeking relief even before the more intense heat moved in.
“It’s too hot,” said Genaya Barr, 7, shading herself with a towel as she waited for the William McAbee pool in Sandtown-Winchester to open at noon. Minutes later,
she was submerged in 3 feet of water, jumping up with a splash.
Barr was among100 campers at the Penn North Kids Safe Zone who received free admission to the pool Friday and for the rest of the summer, thanks to donations from city police officers, community members and Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young. The trip to the pool came with a police escort as officers volunteered to walk the campers through the West Baltimore neighborhood.
Factoring in humidity, it felt as hot as 99 degrees at BWI and 101 at the Inner Harbor, according to the National Weather Service.
It is only expected to get hotter through Monday.
“Any one of those three days, we could hit 100 degrees,” said Kevin Witt, a meteorologist with the weather service’s BaltimoreWashington forecast office.
Hot, dry air is expected to remain over the region in an unusual pattern in which high pressure is present from the ground to the upper levels of the atmosphere some 60,000 feet above. That means lots of clear skies and dry air.
“With added sunshine, you’re going to have temperatures soar rather quickly,” Witt said.
The heat could stir afternoon and evening thunderstorms late today and again Monday. But the strength of the high pressure overhead could make it difficult for storm clouds to develop, meteorologists said.
It has been more than four years since the temperature reached 100 at BWI. The last time was July 18, 2012, when the airport hit 104 degrees. At the Inner Harbor, it was 107 degrees that afternoon.
Since then, the highest temperature recorded at BWI has been 97 degrees, on a handful of occasions.
If temperatures top the 100 mark this weekend, record highs could be within reach. The records for today, Sunday and Monday are 102, 101 and 100 degrees, respectively.
With temperatures in the 90s expected into next week, it could be the longest stretch of 90-degree heat in at least three years.
In recent years, Baltimore has rarely seen more than three or four consecutive days in the 90s.
Temperatures reached the 90s for a week straight from July 15 to 21, 2013, at BWI. Since then, the region has not recorded more than four straight days in the 90s until this month, from July 14 to 18.
Baltimore health officials are considering declaring a “Code Red” heat emergency on Monday, depending on the forecast. Such declarations, typically made when the heat index is forecast to exceed105 degrees, open cooling centers and prompt public messages about safety.
While conditions Saturday and Sunday might not reach that mark, residents should be prepared for uncomfortable if not hazardous heat.
“If we’re not at the Code Red threshold, that doesn’t mean conditions aren’t dangerous,” Naron said. “We haven’t been as acclimated to this; that’s why we’re urging caution.”
Health officials urged area residents to be wary of illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, which occur when the body cannot keep itself cool. Symptoms can include fatigue, nausea, rapid breathing or pulse, and either cold, clammy skin in the case of heat exhaustion, or hot and dry skin in the case of heatstroke.
“The next step is passing out,” said Dr. Wendy Miller, a primary care physician with Carroll Health Group.
Health experts suggest that people limit the time spent outside; wear light, loosefitting clothing; drink more water than usual, even if you don’t feel thirsty; and take a cool shower or bath.
Heat has been a factor in three deaths in Maryland this summer, state health officials say. An unusually cool summer in 2015 saw six heat-related deaths, compared with 46 in 2012.
Those most at risk during a heat wave are children, pets, workers who spend most of their time outdoors, and the elderly, said Baltimore County police spokeswoman Elise Armacost.
For children and pets, the biggest threat is being left or forgotten in a hot car.
“Sadly, we see tragedies like that every year,” Armacost said.