Heat Plan Activated: Find A Cooling Shelter In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX, VA — In anticipation of the dangerously hot weather expected in Northern Virginia and the greater Washington, DC area, Fairfax County activated its heat plan for Monday and Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued heat advisories from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday and from Tuesday morning into the evening hours for the greater Baltimore-Washington, DC region.

Related: Record Heat, Storms With Damaging Winds Forecast For NoVA, DC

Expect dangerously hot weather and possibly heat indexes of around 110 on both days, according to the NWS forecast.

Fairfax County activates its heat plan under the following conditions based on the National Weather Service's forecast:

• Heat Advisory: issued when the heat index values is expected to reach 105 to 109 degrees within the next 12-24 hours.
• Excessive Heat Watch: Issued when there is a potential for the heat index to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 24-48 hours.
• Excessive Heat Warning: Issued when the heat index values is expected to reach or exceed 110 degrees within the next 12-24 hours.

View Fairfax County Cooling Centers Map

In addition to shopping malls, stores and movie theaters, residents can escape the heat at one of the cooling centers ocated in public buildings throughout the county:

1. Libraries
2. Community Centers
3. REC Centers
4. Human Services Regional Offices
5. Homeless shelters (available for people experiencing homelessness)

The public is encouraged to check that locations are open before they arrive.