Excessive Heat Warning in Effect Today for Fairfax County

An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect for Fairfax County and surrounding areas for much of today (Friday).

The National Weather Service said the warning will last from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Heat index values could reach 110 degrees today.

Currently, Saturday and Sunday are under an Excessive Heat Watch.

More from NWS:

…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO 9 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING…
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING…

* HEAT INDEX VALUES…Near 110 degrees today, then potentially 110 to 115 degrees Saturday and Sunday due to temperatures in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees and dewpoints in the lower to middle 70s.

* Impacts…Dangerously high temperatures and humidity could quickly cause heat stress or heat stroke if precautions are not taken.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures will occur. The combination of extreme temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are expected. Check in on relatives and neighbors.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue wants people to keep cool and practice heat safety whether inside or outside. The fie department also has a guide for how to identify the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke — and what to do.

In addition to the heat, an Air Quality Alert has been issued for today.

More from NWS:

A Code Orange Air Quality Alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease or other lung diseases and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

#HEAT UPDATE: Today marks day 1 of 3 excessively hot and humid days for our region. Dangerous heat indices of 100-115 are expected. Stay hydrated and in shaded or air conditioned places, and check on your friends and neighbors. Heat safety tips: https://t.co/nm6p0Dmcbs. pic.twitter.com/Jb4u0DwSPs

— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) July 19, 2019

https://twitter.com/fairfaxcounty/status/1151893172836065280

Photo by Kent Pilcher on Unsplash