Another day of excessive heat with highs in the mid to upper 90s and feel like temperatures well over 100 degrees. Excessive Heat Warnings have been put in place one again for the city of Baltimore as the combination of heat and humidity remain dangerously high.
The static ridge of high pressure just won't budge although there are some changes on the way come the end of the holiday workweek.
Before those changes though we look to see at least one more 90 degree day. So far this year at BWI Airport we have had 13 days of 90 degrees and down at the Inner Harbor we have had 15 days of 90 degrees+. The hottest temperature recorded within that time has been 98 degrees with heat indices values in both locations toppling 110 degrees.
Not much will change for the July 4th holiday this year in Baltimore. Yes we will be a tad cooler with heat indices values below 100 degrees but regular air temperatures will remain around 90 with tons of humidity putting us in heat advisory criteria. If we make it to 90 degrees in Baltimore it will actually be one of our hottest Independence Day's in more than 5 years. Speaking of the heat it's also a trigger for storms which is usually a common theme for the holiday. This year will be no difference with a 20-30 percent chance of a storm although most locations will get away dry just in time for the fireworks.
A break in the heat comes for the weekend ahead but long range trends suggest more heat on the way for the middle and end of July.
With all that said this is the time of year not only to thing about time outdoors but the dangers of heat. Time and time again it seems that we run a story on someone being left behind in a hot car whether it be a pet or child. It's simple "Look Before You Lock!!" Yes we live busy lives but it's easy to look in the backseat to see if you left anything behind. A temperature outside of 80 degrees can lead to temps above 100 degrees within 30 minutes inside a closed up car.
If your working outside take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water. Avoid strenuous activity during peak heating hours and don't forget top check on those elderly friends and neighbors. Most of all any activity outside this time of year requires sunblock or sun protection from some sort of clothing. As we roll into Summer the sun angle gets higher in the sky which means the time to get a burn gets smaller. Avoid the burn and lather on SPF as Summer is here to stay!!"
