Heat wave continues; crowds jam roads ahead of July 4th holiday
WASHINGTON - The National Weather Service has upgraded Tuesday's Heat Advisory to an Excessive Heat Warning for the DC-metro area.
In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Howard, Prince George's Carroll, Charles, Baltimore and Montgomery Counties, and in Virginia Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria and Fairfax are all under the warning until 8 p.m.
The Maryland Department of the Environment, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and District Department of Environment have issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert Tuesday for
the DC metro area.
A heat emergency plan has been activated for DC due to the hot temperatures.
This heat wave which began last week continues as the D.C. region prepares for another scorcher heading into the July 4th holiday.
Temperatures have been above 90 degrees since Friday and are expected to remain that way until the weekend arrives.
FOX 5's Mike Thomas says to expect high humidity and lots of heat as another Heat Advisory begins Tuesday at noon and lasts until 8 p.m. Mike says to limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. The heat index, he says, will make temperatures feel like they are 100 degrees and higher.
We'll get some refiled from the heat this weekend as temperatures fall into the 80s. The cooler temperatures will make for perfect beach days for those heading to the shore.
Those heading to Maryland's Ocean City and other beach towns on the coast should be prepared to encounter heavy traffic. AAA Mid-Atlantic says July 3 traffic jams can more than double on area roads. Gridlock between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. is expected to be at its very worse.
The worst time to hit the road on U.S. Route 50 Westbound toward Maryland's Eastern Shore is Tuesday afternoon at 1:15 P.M., as travel delays increase 87 percent and highway speeds drop to 31 mph.
Traffic to and from the Bay Bridge will be the heaviest Tuesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 8.