Warning days in effect as dangerous heat hits Maryland

BALTIMORE – Our WJZ First Alert Weather Team has issued WARNING DAYS for today, Tuesday and Wednesday due to a dangerous combination of heat and humidity.

Heat warnings are in effect for the entire WJZ First Alert Weather broadcast area today from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The following counties are affected by the heat warning:

Temperatures in much of Maryland rose to over 35 to under 38 degrees on Sunday afternoon. BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport reached a record high of 38 degrees, set in 1954.

Everyone should take heat precautions such as drinking plenty of water, taking breaks from air conditioning, avoiding direct sunlight, and checking on pets and the elderly. Highs today will be around 100 degrees. BWI is heading for 101 degrees and the previous record is 102 degrees, set in 1995. Highs on Tuesday will be below 100 degrees and highs on Wednesday will be above 90 degrees.

The heat index will be between 104° and 110° from today through Wednesday.

Lows overnight will generally be between 25 and 27 degrees Celsius. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible today and Tuesday afternoon and evening, but not everyone will get wet.

A strong cold front will approach the region on Wednesday. Ahead of this front, temperatures will rise to the high 30s. It feels like temperatures will again be above 38 degrees. Strong to severe thunderstorms will develop ahead of the cold front, which may bring damaging winds, heavy downpours and lightning to the area. In addition to the EXTREME HEAT WARNING DAY on Wednesday, we must pay attention to the weather as widespread severe weather is possible.

Behind the front on Thursday we will see a residual shower or a thunderstorm, especially south of Baltimore. The maximum temperatures will be over 30 degrees.

Seasonal heat is expected from Friday through next weekend, with highs in the 30s. Humidity will rise again next weekend and there is a chance of thunderstorms. Right now, the chance of thunderstorms is highest between Saturday evening and Sunday.