Heat Index Hit 98° in DC, 107° in Parts of Virginia
After a sweltering start to the week, storms are in the forecast
By Storm Team4 and NBC Washington Staff ••
Storm Team4’s Amelia Draper and Lauryn Ricketts have your forecast during this heat wave.
The heat index reached 95 to 107 degrees in the D.C. area Monday, and the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory.
Temperatures were set to reach the mid-90s but feel even hotter with the humidity.
As of 5 p.m., the heat index hit 98 in D.C., Storm Team4 Meteorologist Amelia Draper said. In Gaithersburg, it was even hotter, at 102. In Leesburg, it was an astounding 107, with the heat index.
Storm Team4 declared a Weather Alert Day for Monday.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser activated the District's Heat Emergency Plan at midday Monday. Cooling centers in the District are available at publicly accessible government facilities, homeless shelters and senior centers until 6 p.m. or until it has been deemed safe to be outdoors.
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The water adventures at Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags America (13710 Central Ave., Upper Marlboro, Maryland) range from beginner-friendly to... intimidating. Case in point: On the 132-foot funnel known as the Tornado, all you have to cling to is a four-person raft! (Good luck not screaming). You'll also find a huge variety of slides, a water park version of a half-pipe, a lazy river and a "beach." DISTANCE: 16 miles from downtown D.C.
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Looking for outdoor adventures? Take a quick drive to the Harpers Ferry area, where you can enjoy a variety of expeditions with Harpers Ferry Adventure Center or River & Trail Outfitters, including rafting, tubing, canoeing or kayaking. Each river trip is led by trained guides. DISTANCE: 68 miles from downtown D.C.
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Have you tried stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) yet? It's a challenging but fun combination of canoeing, kayaking and surfing, and it comes with the chance to build your balance skills, too. At Black Dog Paddle, which has locations in Richmond, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and more, you can enjoy a scenic river paddle while getting a pretty good workout as well. Call 804-57-STAND to check on dates, times and rates. DISTANCE: A bit further away than we'd promised -- roughly 125 miles from downtown D.C., depending on the location you pick. If you need closer-in SUP'ing, try the Key Bridge Boathouse.
SplashDown
SplashDown Waterpark (7500 Ben Lomond Park Drive, Manassas, Virginia) is home to a 770-foot lazy river, a sand beach, a lily pad and log walk, two fast cannonball slides, two four-story slides and more. DISTANCE: 35 miles from downtown D.C.
Cameron Run
When was the last time you bodysurfed on a massive wave? If "never" was your answer, the Great Waves Waterpark at Cameron Run Regional Park (4001 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, Virginia) may be the place to go. You'll also find speed slides, a wave pool, batting cages, fishing, miniature golf and a kids' zone. DISTANCE: 15 miles from downtown D.C.
Megan McGrath, NBC4
Enjoy a refreshing sea breeze not far from home at Chesapeake Beach (Maryland's western shore). Stroll the the boardwalk, enjoy the beach or check out the Chesapeake Beach Water Park. At the end of your day, stop by a roadside market for fresh fruits and veggies on the way home. DISTANCE: 35 miles from downtown D.C.
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Soak City at Kings Dominion (16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, Virginia) is a great option for a day or weekend trip when it's way too hot to hit the coasters. You'll find more than a dozen water activities, including a wave pool, slides, and a massive water playground that's still fun when you're a grownup. DISTANCE: 75 miles from downtown D.C.
Bohrer Park
Bohrer Park (512 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, Maryland) offers a variety of slides -- including one that's an impressive 250 feet long -- and a main pool with activity areas. The kids' area offers plenty of shallow-water fun and a "raindrop" water umbrella. DISTANCE: 28 miles from downtown D.C.
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Want to skip the water parks? Go canoeing, tubing or kayaking with Shenandoah River Outfitters instead, and stay cool in a (mostly) shaded setting in Luray, Virginia, which offers campgrounds and cabin rentals if you'd like to spend a weekend away. DISTANCE: 100 miles from downtown D.C.
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When is a five-hour hike in the summer OK? When there's plenty of waterfalls and natural pools to cool you off. Get your workout in at White Oak Canyon and Cedar Run (Etlan, Virginia). See a PDF map from the National Park Service here.DISTANCE: 90 miles from downtown D.C.
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Didn't see your fave spot listed? Look for it in our other galleries: n• Top 10 Beaches n• 10 Places to Swim If You Want to Avoid Bay Bridge Traffic n• Top 10 Day Trips n• Top 10 Virginia Getaways n• Top 10 Maryland Getaways n• Top 10 Weekend Getaways
In Maryland, Prince George's County and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency suggest visiting public buildings such as libraries, community centers or senior activity centers, or indoor malls, food courts or movie theaters.
Rockville has cooling centers available at Lincoln Park Community Center (357 Frederick Ave.), Rockville Senior Center (1150 Carnation Drive), Thomas Farm Community Center (700 Fallsgrove Drive) and Twinbrook Community Recreation Center (12920 Twinbrook Parkway).
The day was set to be mostly sunny. Due to the heat and stagnant air pattern, an air quality alert was issued for those sensitive to extreme weather. Stay indoors as much as possible.
Here's how you can stay safe and be a bit more comfortable:
Wear light and loose clothing
Stay hydrated
Avoid beverages with alcohol or caffeine
Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
Avoid hot and heavy meals
If you're working outside, try to take a break and go inside every 45 minutes to an hour, said Dr. Robert Schesser of George Washington University
Get ready to sweat! It will feel anywhere from 100-105 degree this weekend. Here are some ways to stay safe during a heat wave.
Monday won't be the end of the heat. Tuesday is set to be nearly as hot, with a high of 90. Chances of storms begin Tuesday afternoon and evening. The greatest chance for severe weather is south of D.C. in Fredericksburg and Stafford County. The chance of storms lowers on Wednesday and is set to be partly sunny. Thursday should be dry.
Wednesday and Thursday are expected to have highs in the mid to upper 80s. Friday is expected to be in the low 80s.
Then, showers are possible this weekend.
"It doesn't look like it's going to be a washout. It's not going to be raining all the time, but we do have those rain chances in the forecast," Storm Team4 Meteorologist Lauryn Ricketts said.
There are a few ways to try to stay more comfortable, though.
