I can’t stress enough that Saturday will be the hottest day in this heatwave. For this reason I will not be covering the WWI and WWII event tomorrow. My health is too important to risk the heat. I apologize in advance to my subscribers.

Weather

Wake up to 78 degrees at 6 a.m. on Saturday morning. The heat index will make the temperature feel like 85 degrees. Humidity will be at 86%.

Despite a low temperature when humidity is high it makes if feel much hotter and interferes with the bodies natural cooling from sweating and evaporation. So limit your time outdoors in high humidity.

By 8 a.m. the temperature will rise to 82 with a real feel of 92 and humidity at 78%.

By 10 a.m. the temperature will be 88 with a real feel of 100 degrees already and humidity at 64%.

Noon temperature will be 94 with mostly sunny skies. The heat index will make the temperature feel like 107 degrees and humidity will still be fairly high at 56%.

1 p.m. temperature 95 with a real feel of 108 and 51% humidity, by 2 p.m. a temperature of 96 with a real feel of 109, by 3 p.m. the temperature will be 97 with a real feel of 109.

4 p.m. will be the hottest part of the day with 99 degrees and a heat index of 110 degrees. Humidity will drop to 47%.

Temperatures will start to cool off by 6 p.m. with a temperature of 96 and a real feel of 106, but it will still be very hot.

By 8 p.m. 91 degrees will still feel like 100. However humidity will began to rise again to 63%.

Only a slight chance of showers will be present, by midnight the temperature will drop to 84 and the real feel will be 93 degrees.

Overnight temperatures will be in the low 80’s with heat indices in the 90’s. Wake up to 79 degrees at 6 a.m. and a real feel of 87.

Some Tips and Suggestions for this heat:

Your Air-conditioner will be working overtime. People with window units should pay close attention to the temperature of plugs to ensure the drain is not pulling too much power.

If you have other appliances on the same circuit as window AC units try turning off as many as possible to keep the drain on electrical wires low.

After morning showers consider turning off your water heater until later in the evening when hot water will be needed again. This will considerably limit heat in your laundry room.

Try to run your dishwasher and dryer during the evening hours or overnight when temperatures are much cooler and there is less drain on the power grid. This will also save you money.

Be sure to check fire alarms and make sure they are working properly during this heatwave. Overloads on electrical wires can sneak up on you and cause fires so find ways to turn off what you don’t absolutely need.

In the event of a power failure consider your car as your lifeline to cool off, check on neighbors and relatives often. A cool bath can be a lifesaver for elderly until help arrives, the power comes back on or they can be moved to a cooler location.

Stay safe in this heat and hydrate whether you think you need it or not. Public Works won’t mind the extra pee!

The National Weather Service Has Issued A Heat Advisory For Our Area:

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON SATURDAY TO 11 PM
EDT SUNDAY...

The National Weather Service in Wakefield has issued an Excessive
Heat Warning, which is in effect from noon Saturday to 11 PM EDT
Sunday. The Excessive Heat Watch is no longer in effect.

* AREAS AFFECTED: Central Virginia and the Virginia northern
  neck...along with the Maryland and Virginia lower eastern
  shore.

* HEAT INDEX VALUES: Around 105 late this afternoon, and 110 to
  115 both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

* IMPACTS: Prolonged exposure or any strenuous activity may lead
  to heat related illnesses that require immediate medical
  attention.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Take extra precautions...if you work or spend time outside. When
possible...reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when
possible and drink plenty of water.

   To reduce risk during outdoor work...the occupational safety
and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest
breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome
by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.   Heat
stroke is an emergency...call 9 1 1.

   An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of
dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot
temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a DANGEROUS
SITUATION in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of
fluids...stay in an air-conditioned room...stay out of the sun...
and check up on relatives and neighbors.

   Young children and pets should never be left unattended in
vehicles under any circumstances.  This is especially true during
warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal
temperatures in a matter of minutes.

A Heat Advisory means that a period of hot temperatures is
expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity
will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are
possible. Drink plenty of fluids...stay in an air-conditioned
room...stay out of the sun...and check up on relatives and
neighbors.

   Take extra precautions...if you work or spend time outside.
When possible...reschedule strenuous activities to early morning
or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when
possible and drink plenty of water.

   To reduce risk during outdoor work...the occupational safety
and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest
breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone overcome
by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.   Heat
stroke is an emergency...call 9 1 1.

Be sure to stay hydrated and remember to cool down vehicles prior to leaving. Temperatures in cars can reach deadly within a short period of time if left with windows closed. Never leave pets or kids unattended in vehicle.

EVENTS:

Colonial Beach WWI & WWII Commemoration Day

Traffic:

VDOT HOT SPOTS July 14 – July 20