Excessive Heat, Code Red Air Warnings This Weekend

Excessive heat and unhealthy air warnings are in effect for the Reston area for much of this weekend.

The excessive heat warning remains in effect until 8 pm. Friday and resumes Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A Code Red air quality alert — indicating that air pollution concentrations have reached a level harmful to all populations — has also been issued for Saturday by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

The National Weather Service says temperatures will reach 105 on Saturday. The heat index will reach 110 on Saturday, the service said.

The warnings carry a high risk of heat exhaustion or other heat-related illness for those without air-conditioning or those spending time outdoors for an extended period of time.

The county offered the following suggestions:

For People:

• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink two to four glasses of cool fluids each hour if you are in a hot environment.
• Stay in an air-conditioned room
• Stay out of the sun
• Check in on relatives and neighbors.  
• Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
• Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.  
• To reduce risk during outdoor work, the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.

Conservation/Household Tips:

• Refuel vehicles after dusk and limit idling.
• Limit driving, if possible 
• Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.  
• Keep air conditioning no lower than 78 degrees. 
• Avoid mowing lawns with gasoline-powered motors. 
• Don’t use chemicals on your lawn and gardens.  
• Put off painting until air quality improves.

If you or someone you know begins to experience a heat-related emergency, officials urge you to call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more tips, visit Fairfax County's emergency blog.

Sunday should offer some relief: Though temperatures will hover around 98 witha heat index as high as 104, showers and thunderstorms will likely roll through the area after 2 p.m.