Excessive Heat Warning Issued For Baltimore County

By Staff Reporter
Posted on 07/19/19 | News Source: Patch

An excessive heat warning takes effect Friday, and the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch for Saturday and Sunday.

Keep Hatzalah's phone # handy: 410.358.0000

Baltimore County, MD — Temperatures are expected to be dangerously hot in Baltimore County Friday, hitting 106 degrees on the heat index. People should take precautions like wearing lightweight clothing, drinking water and staying in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible, health officials advise. Relief from the heat is available at Baltimore County Public Library branches, which are open as cooling centers.

An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 19. It applies to most of Maryland, including Baltimore County.

When weather officials issue an excessive heat warning, a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures will occur that may lead to heat-related illnesses.

So far this season, four people in Maryland have died from heat, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

As temperatures soar, air quality on Friday will be unhealthy for some. A code orange air quality alert is in effect, meaning air pollution concentrations may become unhealthy for children, older adults and people with respiratory or heart ailments. They should avoid strenuous activities like outdoor exercise.

Timeline To 106 Degrees In Baltimore County On Friday

It will feel like it's above 100 degrees in Baltimore County from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, according to the forecast.

In particular, it's going to be scorching from 2 to 3 p.m.

Here is the hour-by-hour temperature forecast from the National Weather Service:

• 8 a.m.: Actual temp 81 degrees; heat index 87 degrees
• 9 a.m.: Actual temp 84 degrees, heat index 93 degrees
• 10 a.m.: Actual temp 87 degrees; heat index 98 degrees
• 11 a.m.: Actual temp 90 degrees; heat index 101 degrees
• 12 p.m.: Actual temp 92 degrees; heat index 103 degrees
• 1 p.m.: Actual temp 93 degrees; heat index 103 degrees
• 2 p.m.: Actual temp 95 degrees; heat index 106 degrees
• 3 p.m.: Actual temp 96 degrees; heat index 106 degrees
• 4 p.m.: Actual temp 96 degrees; heat index 105 degrees
• 5 p.m.: Actual temp 96 degrees; heat index 105 degrees
• 6 p.m.: Actual temp 95 degrees; heat index 104 degrees
• 7 p.m.: Actual temp 93 degrees; heat index 101 degrees
• 8 p.m.: Actual temp 90 degrees; heat index 98 degrees
• 9 p.m.: Actual temp 88 degrees; heat index 96 degrees
• 10 p.m.: Actual temp 86 degrees; heat index 94 degrees
• 11 p.m.: Actual temp 85 degrees; heat index 93 degrees

It's only going to get hotter this weekend. Heat indices may reach 115 degrees Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

An excessive heat watch is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This means a prolonged period of dangerously high temperatures is possible, and people should prepare for extreme temperatures and high humidity.

Here are things that weather officials advise for staying safe:

• Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning if working outside.

• Where To Cool Off: Cooling Centers

  Those looking to find air conditioning for the next few days in Baltimore County can head to the nearest library branch, which will open as cooling centers as temperatures rise across the region.

  There are 19 library branches across the county open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

• Arbutus: 855 Sulphur Spring Road, Arbutus, MD 21227
• Catonsville: 1100 Frederick Road, Catonsville, MD 21228
• Cockeysville: 9833 Greenside Drive, Cockeysville, MD 21030
• Essex: 1110 Eastern Boulevard, Essex, MD 21221
• Hereford: 16940 York Road, Hereford, MD 21111
• Lansdowne: 500 Third Avenue, Lansdowne, MD 21227
• Loch Raven: 1046 Taylor Avenue, Towson, MD 21286
• North Point: 1716 Merritt Boulevard, Dundalk, MD 21222
• Owings Mills: 10302 Grand Central Avenue, Owings Mills, MD 21117
• Parkville-Carney: 9509 Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234
• Perry Hall: 9685 Honeygo Boulevard, Perry Hall, MD 21128
• Pikesville: 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208
• Randallstown: 8604 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133
• Reisterstown: 21 Cockeys Mill Road, Reisterstown, MD 21136
• Rosedale: 6105 Kenwood Avenue, Rosedale, MD 21237
• Sollers Point: 323 Sollers Point Road, Dundalk, MD 21222
• Towson: 320 York Road, Towson, MD 21204
• White Marsh: 8133 Sandpiper Circle, Baltimore, MD 21236
• Woodlawn: 1811 Woodlawn Drive, Woodlawn, MD 21207

There are also 20 Baltimore County Senior Centers countywide that are open Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to all — regardless of age — during the heat.

How To Identify Heat Illness

 Heat illnesses can take several forms, from a heat rash to heat stroke.

When a person experiences heat stroke, the body is unable to control its temperature and the result can be fatal.

These are symptoms of heat stroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): hot, red, dry or damp skin; quick pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; temperature of 103 degrees or hotter; and fainting.

If people exhibit symptoms of heat stroke, call 911 immediately and move them to a cooler area.