Weather

Extended Heat Wave Details: Virginia Weather Forecast

We'll have one more day in the 80s before record high temperatures arrive Friday, and linger for several days.

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Greg Hambrick, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge

Enjoy temperatures in the 80s while you can. Record high temperatures are expected to arrive Friday and will make for a dangerous weekend outside, according to forecasters.

We won't even see 90 degrees between now and Friday, but the heat index, or "feels like" temperature could climb over 100 degrees by Friday afternoon.

On Saturday, the index will be 103 degrees and will likely climb even higher both Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The actual temperature may hit 100 degrees this weekend, and that will be a first for the region since July 2012, according to The Weather Channel.

"While the heat will throttle back a bit next week, temperatures and humidity levels will probably not come down in the mid-Atlantic like earlier this summer," according to AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

Find out what's happening in Restonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Red Cross Heat Wave Safety Tips:

  • Prepare. Discuss heat safety precautions with members of your household. Have a plan for what to do if the power goes out.
  • Dress for the heat. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Avoid dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
  • Stay hydrated. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine, which dehydrate the body.
  • Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
  • Slow down and avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m. Take frequent breaks.
  • Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
  • Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on family, friends and neighbors who are elderly or ill and those who do not have air conditioning. Check on your animals frequently, too, to make sure they are not suffering from the heat.
  • Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR/AED.

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