This story, originally published on Sept. 4, 2023 at 3:45 p.m., was updated on Sept. 5, 2023 at 10:45 a.m. to add that the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Tuesday and at 5 p.m. to add that Montgomery County issued a Hyperthermia Alert for Wednesday.
Montgomery County issued a hyperthermia alert for extreme heat on Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The heat index will be at least 95 degrees, the county’s Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security said.
At 7:55 a.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the Baltimore/Washington region on Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. because the heat index will be between 100-105 degrees this afternoon.
The heat is a holdover from Labor Day weekend when residents across Montgomery County gathered around hot grills and cold pools. A Labor Day parade in Gaithersburg was canceled Sunday due to the anticipated temperatures and county officials reiterated the need to stay hydrated and take precautions amid an extreme heat wave.
The OEMHS also issued a hyperthermia alert Monday to 6 p.m. due to an anticipated heat index exceeding 95 degrees. County officials took to social media on Sunday to share precautionary resources to help avoid heat stroke or exhaustion.
Residents are encouraged to stay indoors whenever possible, avoid strenuous activities, drink plenty of water and wear proper sun protection when outside, according to OEMHS officials. Signs of unhealthy heat exposure can include muscle spasms, flushed skin, dizziness and a weak pulse.
Groups considered at higher risk of experiencing negative health symptoms related to heat exposure include people under four or over 65 years old, low-income communities, emergency responders, homeless people, incarcerated people, pregnant people, athletes and people on certain medications or diagnosed with preexisting conditions, according to the national health officials.
On Sunday, Gaithersburg officials announced that its Labor Day parade—scheduled for 1 p.m. in Olde Towne—would be canceled due to the anticipated heat forecast.