Haze and heat over the National Mall, seen from the Netherlands Carillon (file photo by Jay Westcott)
Today marks the halfway point of a five-day September heat wave.
A high temperature of 98 is forecast today, with “feels like” temperatures reaching into the 100s. Relief is expected Friday, as high temperatures dip into the upper 80s.
A Heat Advisory is in effect starting at noon today. From the National Weather Service:
730 AM EDT Tue Sep 5 2023
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
* WHAT…Heat index values of 100 to 105 expected.
* WHERE…Portions of northern and central Maryland, The District of Columbia, and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From noon today to 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
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.
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 lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. 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.
Usually, one might expect the start of meteorological fall to be more temperate, amid pools closing, white pants getting packed away and and pumpkin spice lattes being served with increasing frequency. Not this year.
What do you think of the late bout of hot weather?
Hot weather amid a July 2021 heat wave (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
What had been an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday is now a warning.
The National Weather Service just issued the Excessive Heat Warning, cautioning against “dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110” tomorrow.
From NWS:
…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT FRIDAY…
* WHAT…For the Heat Advisory, heat index values around 105. For the Excessive Heat Warning, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values around 110 expected.
* WHERE…The Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas, southern Maryland, and portions of northern Virginia as well as the Virginia Piedmont.
* WHEN…For the Heat Advisory, until 8 PM EDT this evening. For the Excessive Heat Warning, from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Friday.
* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
Some outdoor Arlington events are being cancelled due to the heatwave, including a concert planned today in Pentagon City.
Tonight’s Jazz @ Met is cancelled due to extreme heat conditions. We will see you all next Thursday for our continued series!
On top of it all, forecasters say strong storms are possible later today and on Saturday. A cooldown is expected on Sunday, as high temperatures dip back into the mid-to-upper 80s.
Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Strong to severe storms are possible with damaging winds being the greatest threat. High temperatures are also a concern today and a Heat Advisory is in effect. #DCwx#MDwx#VAwx#WVwxpic.twitter.com/w4b8fMOPGi
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 27, 2023
(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) Get ready for three days of sweltering weather.
Ahead of high temperatures in the upper 90s — perhaps rising into the triple digits — paired with high humidity, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Thursday and a watch for Friday.
From NWS:
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY…
* WHAT…Heat index values around 105 degrees expected.
* WHERE…The Washington and Baltimore Metropolitan areas, central and northeast Maryland, southern Maryland, and portions of northern Virginia into the Virginia Piedmont.
* WHEN…From 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Heat and humidity will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
This afternoon, meanwhile, NWS issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Friday.
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…
* WHAT…For the Heat Advisory, heat index values around 105 expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110 possible.
* WHERE…Portions of central, north central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and central and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…For the Heat Advisory, from 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday. For the Excessive Heat Watch, from Friday morning through Friday evening.
* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
The weather service issued the following general advice for beating the heat.
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. 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 lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. 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.
On top of the hot and sticky conditions, scattered storms are possible through the end of the week.
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 26, 2023
A Heat Advisory has been issued for Thursday. Maximum heat indices in the advisory area are expected to be 105-109 degrees. Outside of the advisory, it will still be hot. Heat and humidity will increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those outdoors. pic.twitter.com/kgggr7V88z
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 26, 2023
Hazy heat at Long Bridge Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
If you think today is hot, bad news: tomorrow is going to be worse.
The National Weather Service has already issued a Heat Advisory for Thursday, calling for heat index values of up to 106 in parts of the D.C. region.
The current NWS forecast for Arlington calls for a high temperature of 95 and a heat index of up to 101.
Forecasters say tomorrow’s heat will be dangerous those who are outside or somewhere without air conditioning. They also recommend staying hydrated, checking on vulnerable relatives and neighbors and making sure kids and pets are not left in unattended vehicles.
The Heat Advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursday.
More from NWS:
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
102 PM EDT Wed Aug 3 2022
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY…
* WHAT…Heat index values up to 106 expected.
* WHERE…Portions of central, north central, northeast, northern and southern Maryland, The District of Columbia and northern Virginia.
* WHEN…From 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
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.
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 lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. 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.
Nicecream in Clarendon (2831 Clarendon Blvd) uses the process of freezing ice cream with liquid nitrogen. Its selection of ice cream flavors rotates weekly and has flavors spanning from white chocolate peanut butter to grapefruit creamsicle. However, Nutella is a must-try.
Similarly, did you know you can get some of that addictive chocolate hazelnut spread in your South Block açaí bowl? We did, so we figured you would want to try that to cool off. Topping off South Block’s Nutella açaí bowl are mixed granola, banana, strawberry, coconut and Nutella.
Bakeshop in Clarendon (1025 N. Fillmore Street) is no ordinary bakery. Offering a slew of flavors of cupcakes, bread, cakes, cookies, pies and macarons, Bakeshop also offers vegan and gluten-free options. Its Peanut Butter Icebox Pie is the perfect pick-me-up for peanut butter lovers.
One of the most popular summer treats at Bakeshop that is a must-try is its ice cream Cookiewich. This Cookiewich consists of two mouth-watering chocolate chunk cookies enveloping vanilla ice cream. Bakeshop’s Cookiewich is, in the opinion of this reviewer, beyond any ice cream sandwich you have ever tried.
Haze and heat over the National Mall, seen from the Netherlands Carillon (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
It’s a bit of a conspicuous time to ask, given that we’re at the end of a sweltering heat wave, but do you ever wish Arlington’s climate was a bit cooler?
Or warmer, for that matter?
Many of us live in this area due to the work we do, family considerations, or other good reasons to stay put. So it’s not as simple as saying someone should just move to Miami or Buffalo if they find the local climate too cold or hot for their tastes, even with the more recent remote work trends.
Today’s poll question, however, imagines an opportunity to ask Mother Nature one temperature-related wish for the D.C. area, which would allow you to get the climate of a given eastern U.S. city where you currently live.
(No choosing the more consistently mild and/or dry West Coast climates, that’s cheating, and the do-gooders out there should assume that wishing for a cooler climate locally would not solve climate change globally. Also, to acknowledge the fairly obvious, the “warmer” cities on the list are relatively much warmer than the “cooler” cities are cooler.)
So for those who regularly grumble about the temperature in this area, what are you wishing for? Or, maybe you consider the regional climate a goldilocks scenario and want it to stay as is. Either way, here’s a chance to make your wish.
Hot weather amid a heat wave in July 2021 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)
(Updated at 11:15 a.m.) It will be hot and humid today — so bad that the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Arlington, D.C. and other parts of the area.
The advisory will go into effect later this morning.
Forecasters advise staying inside unless you have to go out, and drinking lots of fluids if you must spend time outside.
From NWS:
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 8 PM EDT THURSDAY…
* WHAT…Heat index values around 102 to 106, with highest values across east-central Virginia.
* WHERE…In District of Columbia, District of Columbia. In Virginia, Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park, Fairfax, Stafford and Spotsylvania Counties, and Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria.
* WHEN…From 11 AM to 8 PM EDT Thursday.
* IMPACTS…Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
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.
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 lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible. 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.
As a result of the heat, Arlington Transit is allowing water bottles on board its buses.
“Due to expected extreme high temperatures the next few days, riders are permitted to drink water while riding ART buses,” the transit agency said this morning. “Please use bottles or containers that can be tightly sealed (no open cups), and dispose of any waste in trash or recycling receptacles.”
Storms, some of which may pack damaging winds, are also in the forecast today and expected to reach the area later this afternoon. Most storms are expected to stay south of Arlington, however.
After a relatively cool spring, the D.C. area is going to get a blast of mid-summer temperatures this weekend, and forecasters want residents to prepare.
The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement for D.C., Arlington and the region, cautioning about “early season heat” that could cause heat illness “unless proper precautions are taken.”
The mercury is expected to rise above 90 degrees over the next three days, including an expected high temperature of 95 on Saturday, which would tie the record from 1934.
The full statement from NWS is below.
203 PM EDT Thu May 19 2022
…EARLY SEASON HEAT FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY…
Temperatures will rise into the 90s Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the first time since last Autumn. Friday will be the first 90 degree day in the Baltimore and Washington Metropolitan Areas since last September. Saturday is forecast to be the hottest day of the weekend, with many locations reaching the mid-90s and heat indices approaching 100. This level of heat will continue through Sunday.
The abrupt beginning of hot temperatures early in the season after a relatively cool spring brings an increased risk of heat illnesses unless proper precautions are taken for those working or recreating outdoors.
Since many outdoor events are planned this weekend in the region, be aware of the heat, and take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside this weekend. Reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Plan to wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing, and seek shade from the sun. Schedule frequent… breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments and stay hydrated with non-alcoholic beverages.
The most scorching parts of Arlington are along the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor and Reagan National Airport, according to a new study.
On a hot day last July, volunteers and Marymount University research students and staff recorded temperatures at morning, afternoon and evening throughout the county as part of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges’ Heat Watch Campaign. Residents across the Commonwealth also contributed to the statewide data collection effort.
That data has since been compiled into heat maps, released this week, that cover more than 300 square miles of Virginia. Environmentalists say this information is helpful for targeting solutions to heat: planting more trees where possible and, where that is not possible, adding amenities like community gardens and planted walls.
Although Arlington County is compact, temperatures varied by up to 7 degrees depending on location. The Rosslyn-Ballston corridor, for example, recorded a temperature of 94.8 degrees at 3 p.m., and less than two miles away, neighborhoods near the Potomac Overlook Regional Park clocked in at 87.8 degrees.
Temperatures along Arlington’s roadways last July (via the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges)
Marymount University assistant biology professor Susan Agolini says highly populated areas like Ballston and Clarendon are often hotter because concrete and asphalt absorb heat and radiate it back into the environment, while the North Arlington neighborhoods closest to the Potomac River have trees and gardens to soak up that sunshine.
“I do not think there were any surprises here with regard to what areas were hotter,” Agolini said. “We know that locations with a lot of pavement and cement are going to be hotter than areas with a lot of trees and green space. The question is what do we do about that?”
Agolini says she will bring this data to conversations with county officials about urban planning and cooling solutions, such as planting trees and incentivizing the creation of community gardens around buildings and on their rooftops.
For example, 23% of the Ballston-Virginia Square Civic Association had tree canopy compared to 74% of the Bellevue Forest Civic Association, according to the most recent county tree canopy data, from 2016.
Heat maps of Arlington at different times of the day (via the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges)
“I find it really compelling that the benefits of and need for increased space for urban agriculture could actually serve multiple purposes,” Agolini said. “It would not only provide Arlington residents with the physical and mental health benefits of growing their own food, but it could also have the added benefit of decreasing the impact of heat disparities throughout the county.”
Elenor Hodges — the executive director of the community organization promoting environmental stewardship, EcoAction Arlington — helped collect temperature data last summer. She says the data provide “another way of looking at a known issue.”
And the solution — more trees and plantings — has benefits that bleed into other environmental and public health goals, she said.
“If you’re building in an area and you can think about having it be as green and plant-based green as possible then that makes the space cooler,” she said. “You can be happier in this space, healthier, and it helps with carbon and it reduces stormwater runoff.”
Hodges said EcoAction Arlington would like to see this data inform developments currently going through the county review processes so that the projects can reduce, rather than contribute to, Arlington’s heat zones.
This includes planting walls of plants, blending indoor and outdoor spaces, and adding trees and plantings to grass-covered parks, as grass doesn’t absorb as much heat.
The organization, which oversees a county program that plants trees on private property through developer contributions, will be launching a campaign to encourage planting in neighborhoods with less tree canopy that also have higher rates of poverty and substantial non-white populations.
For example, tree canopy levels are under 30% in the Arlington View, Buckingham and Green Valley neighborhoods, she said.
“Those are neighborhoods we are going to be looking at more carefully,” Hodges said.
Lebanese Taverna Helping to Feed Refugees — From World Central Kitchen: “Today’s scene at Dulles Airport outside DC To support families landing from Afghanistan, the WCK team is here to provide fresh, hot meals upon arrival. People have not eaten in hours — or days — by the time they land. Today’s plates came from @lebanesetaverna.” [Twitter]
Air Quality Alert Today — “The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments… has issued a Code ORANGE Air Quality Alert Thursday for the DC metro area. 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.” [National Weather Service]
Missing Senior Found — From Virginia State Police: “Virginia Senior Alert CANCELLED: Per @ArlingtonVaPD, Mr. Charilaos Dimopoulos, 92, has been SAFELY LOCATED.” [Twitter]
Committee of 100 Stays Remote — “It will be the start of 2022 at the earliest before the Arlington Committee of 100 returns to in-person meetings. ‘Our board has decided to continue providing our programs ‘virtually’ through December,’ the organization said in a recent e-mail to participants. ‘Our hope is eventually to provide hybrid programs, where you can connect with fellow members in person or watch them from the comfort of your home.'” [Sun Gazette]
Girls Flag Football Coach Profiled — “Rivera remains here in Arlington, coaching… year-round in both flag and girls’ basketball under the banner of the Hurricanes organization, which he founded… Rivera has taken Virginia Hurricanes select flag teams to the NFL nationals — the championships for the official NFL flag football league — seven times. They’ve won the national championship three times–twice for the 14-and-under (14U) age group, and once for the 12U age group. The 10U and 12U teams qualified for the upcoming nationals in Nevada in January 2022, and the 14U team will compete to qualify in November.” [Arlington Magazine]
Reminder on a Hot Day — From AAA Mid-Atlantic: “We’re looking at another hot and humid day in VA, it’s time to focus on protecting children & pets from the heat: Never leave them in a vehicle unattended. Always look in the back seat every time you exit. Always lock the car and put keys out of reach.” [Twitter]
Arlington County will be under a Heat Advisory on Wednesday afternoon and an Excessive Heat Watch for Thursday afternoon.
The National Weather Service said today that high temperatures and humidity will reach dangerous levels as the week goes on. Heat index values of 105-110 degrees are possible on Thursday.
Friday is expected to be nearly as hot, but no heat advisories have been issued yet for that day. The area will cool to more moderate summer temperatures this weekend.
More on the heat advisory and watch from NWS:
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM EDT WEDNESDAY…
…EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING…
* WHAT…For the Heat Advisory, heat index values will range from around 100 degrees west of Interstate 95 to around 105 degrees near and east of Interstate 95. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions are possible with heat indices possibly ranging from around 105 degrees west of Interstate 95 to around 110 degrees near and east of Interstate 95.
* WHERE…The Washington, Baltimore, and Fredericksburg areas, central and southern Maryland, northern Virginia, and the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
* WHEN…For the Heat Advisory, from noon to 8 PM EDT Wednesday. For the Excessive Heat Watch, from Thursday afternoon through early Thursday evening.
* IMPACTS…Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this situation. Be prepared to 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.
Excessive Heat Watch is in place for areas mostly East of Blue Ridge for Thursday 12PM through 8PM. Heat Index to reach between 105 west of I-95, and 110 near and east of I-95. Stay hydrated out there! #vawx#mdwx#dcwx#wvwxpic.twitter.com/qkFXx41cof
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) August 10, 2021
