Community Corner
'Heat Dome,' High Temps Come to the Area
Follow these tips to stay cool and avoid heat-related illnesses as 100+ degree heat indices come to our area.
By Jessie Biele
Break out your water bottles, because this week is going to be a scorcher.
Temperatures will break the 95-degree mark and push 100 degrees for much of this week, with heat indices pushing past 100 degrees. According to the Capital Weather Gang, this surge in temperatures is occurring due to a large heat dome moving into the region.
What is a heat dome, anyway? According to National Weather Service meteorologist Eli Jacks, a heat dome is a combination of hot summer weather exacerbated by cloudless skies and the sun's higher angle during the summer.
"When a high pressure system develops in the upper atmosphere, the air below it sinks and compresses because there's more weight on top, causing temperatures in the lower atmosphere to heat up," Jacks told the Associated Press. "The dome of high pressure also pushes the jet stream and its drier, cooler air, farther north — it's now well into Canada — while hot, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico circulates clockwise around the dome, traveling farther inland than normal."
If you'll be spending time outdoors this week, you'll want to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other issues related to excessive heat exposure.
Excessive heat exposure can cause several health problems including heat cramps, which are painful spasms of your arm, leg and/or abdomen muscles, says Patient First, a primary and urgent care center with five locations in Northern Virginia.
Break out your water bottles, because this week is going to be a scorcher.
Temperatures will break the 95-degree mark and push 100 degrees for much of this week, with heat indices pushing past 100 degrees. According to the Capital Weather Gang, this surge in temperatures is occurring due to a large heat dome moving into the region.
What is a heat dome, anyway? According to National Weather Service meteorologist Eli Jacks, a heat dome is a combination of hot summer weather exacerbated by cloudless skies and the sun's higher angle during the summer.
"When a high pressure system develops in the upper atmosphere, the air below it sinks and compresses because there's more weight on top, causing temperatures in the lower atmosphere to heat up," Jacks told the Associated Press. "The dome of high pressure also pushes the jet stream and its drier, cooler air, farther north — it's now well into Canada — while hot, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico circulates clockwise around the dome, traveling farther inland than normal."
If you'll be spending time outdoors this week, you'll want to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other issues related to excessive heat exposure.
Excessive heat exposure can cause several health problems including heat cramps, which are painful spasms of your arm, leg and/or abdomen muscles, says Patient First, a primary and urgent care center with five locations in Northern Virginia.
People experiencing these symptoms should rest in a cooler place and drink water or fluids containing electrolytes.
Heat exhaustion symptoms include profuse sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, skin that feels cool and moist, and muscle cramps.
If you or someone you know are experiencing these symptoms, move him or her to a cooler location, apply cool wet cloths to their body, and give them cool water to drink. If the person vomits or refuses to drink, call 911.
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Follow these tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:
- Wear appropriate lightweight clothing.
- Drink water throughout the day.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activity on hot days.
- Take frequent breaks in a cool place.
Fairfax City Regional Library, 10360 North St. in Old Town
Fairfax Swimming Pool, 4200 Roberts Road
Country Club Hills Recreation Center & Pool, 3622 Old Post Road
Fairfax Villa Pool, 4299 Andes Dr.
Mosby Woods Pool, 3136 Plantation Pkwy.
George Mason University Aquatic Center, 4400 University Dr.
Greenbriar Pool Club, 4302 Majestic Lane
Sideburn Run Recreation, 10603 Zion Dr.
Lakeview Swim Club, 5352 Gainsborough Dr.
TELL US - Where do you go or what do you do to keep cool on hot days? Tell us in the comments.
FOLLOW FAIRFAX CITY PATCH FOR THE LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS!
Find out what's happening in Fairfax Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
