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ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A National Weather Service heat advisory is in effect across the city until 8 p.m. today, with the heat index expected to reach 104 as a high near 96 combines with high humidity. The advisory, issued by the weather service's Baltimore/Washington office, covers Alexandria along with much of the Interstate 95 corridor and areas to the east, including Washington and Baltimore.
The timing matters: The heat arrives on the eve of Sails on the Potomac, the free three-day waterfront festival that opens Friday and brings four historic tall ships and the 48th annual ALX Jazz Fest to Waterfront Park through Sunday. Crowds are expected along the Potomac throughout the weekend, much of it in open sun with limited shade.
Forecasters warn the mix of heat and humidity may cause heat illness. They urge residents and visitors to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air conditioning when possible, keep out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors. Anyone spending time outside should wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and limit strenuous activity to the early morning or evening. Officials stress that heat stroke is a medical emergency: Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool, shaded spot, and in suspected cases, call 911.
The city has opened relief options to help residents stay cool. Recreation centers and public libraries are operating as cooling centers during normal hours, with full lists and schedules posted on the city's seasonal and emergency warming and cooling options webpage and the library website. Residents who need a portable cooling device can call the Senior Cool Care program at 703-746-5999. DASH buses are running normally and are ready to deploy as mobile cooling centers if needed.
Heat won't be the only weather concern heading into the weekend. The forecast calls for a chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight, mainly before 11 p.m., and the weather service's hazardous weather outlook warns some storms this afternoon and evening could bring damaging wind gusts or spotty hail.
The pattern holds into Friday, the festival's opening day, which is expected to be hot again with a high near 97 and a heat index as high as 104. Showers become likely after 4 p.m., with thunderstorms possible and a quarter to a half inch of rain forecast. Some Friday storms could carry damaging winds or large hail.
Conditions should ease for the heart of the festival weekend. Saturday — when the tall ships draw their biggest crowds and the city stages its 9 p.m. fireworks show — looks sunny and cooler with a high near 89. Storm chances return Sunday afternoon, and the weather service says some Sunday storms could be severe. Highs settle into the low 80s early next week, with scattered shower and thunderstorm chances continuing through Wednesday.
Tall ship tours are free but require a timed ticket reserved in advance at alexandriava.gov/Sails250. Residents can find current weather alerts at alexandriava.gov/Alert and sign up for updates at alexandriava.gov/eNews. Free interpretation and translation services are available by emailing LanguageAccess@alexandriava.gov or calling 703-746-3960.
