Get the latest forecast from Storm4 meteorologist Tom Kierein.
Web Weather Forecast 6/21/12 Mid-Day
Sorry, weather watchers, but yesterday's temperatures fell short of the 1931 record of 99 degrees.
By one degree.
But never fear, we tied the 1988 record of 98 degrees today at Reagan National Airport. That happened in the 3 p.m. hour, according to Storm4 chief meteorologist Doug Kammerer.
Today's temp could creep higher before all is said and done, and it has certainly felt hotter with the high rate of humidity in the area. The heat index has hovered between 100 to 105 degrees.
So what's a body to do? D.C. government has issued the following precautions:
More than 4,000 homes lost power (and A/C) Wednesday during a heat wave that has residents taking advantage of later city pool hours.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Limit exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when it is strongest.
- Watch for symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
- Visit one of the District's "Cooling Centers" located throughout the city, if you do not have access to a cool-temperature location.
- DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles.
- Drink plenty of water. Do not drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar.
- People with respiratory problems, or illnesses should please stay indoors.
- Regularly check on: infants and young children, people aged 65 or older, people with mental illness, and those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.
- Call 311 for detailed information about cooling center locations.
- Visit 72hours.dc.gov for information about extreme heat and other hazards.
And in order to faciliate your quest to stay cool, WMATA is lifting its ban on drinking water on the system today, and many local pools have extended hours.
After today, things are expected to cool down with a bout of thunderstorms and showers tomorrow, and temperatures dipping back into the 80s over the weekend and into next week.
Hang in there!
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