Triple-digit heat postpones, cancels Fourth of July events across Maryland

The Fourth of July weekend kicked off with delays, cancellations and infrastructure meltdowns as a triple-digit heat wave engulfed the region and placed Maryland under an extreme heat warning until after sunset.

Temperatures in the Baltimore area were around 102 degrees on Friday, but the heat index, or how it feels outside, was as high as 111 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Much of the state was expected to have three figure heat indices throughout the day and through Independence Day.

The Baltimore area and Northern Maryland were under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. on Friday, bringing a possibility of hail, 70 mph winds and lightning, according to the weather service.

It will feel a bit cooler for those celebrating at the beach this weekend. Ocean City will feel more like 103 degrees on both Friday and Saturday.

Friday’s heat could get close to breaking the record for July 3 at BWI, set back in 1898 at 104 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The temperature at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport was around 100 degrees at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The intense heat has also impacted the air quality for much of Maryland, including the Eastern Shore, southern counties and Baltimore area.

The Maryland Department of Environment issued a code orange air quality for Friday, warning people who are sensitive to air pollutants to monitor symptoms and stay inside. The department said in its warning that it expects the air quality to stay the same or worsen on Saturday, especially around the Washington D.C. area, due to the firework shows on the Fourth of July.

Staying inside is not a great option for those 1,400 customers in Maryland who were without power on Saturday just before 4 p.m., according to the Baltimore Gas and Electric outage map. A text went out to some residents on Friday morning in the Baltimore area, warning of a potential hours-long emergency repair that could knock out electric for some customers.

Stephanie Weaver, a spokesperson for BGE, said in a email that the outages were caused by “by underground cable faults from exceedingly high usage during extreme heat.” She added that BGE has increased staffing and is working “around the clock” to restore power.

Businesses and residences across the city had their power knocked out for hours, including Rawlings Conservatory in Druid Hill Park and Koco’s Pub in northeast Baltimore.

Justin McLeod, a spokesperson for the Luminis Health Medical Centers in Lanham and Annapolis, said there was a “noticeable increase in heat related illnesses today, particularly heat exhaustion” in the emergency department on Thursday when temperatures hit 101 degrees.

Change of plans

Annapolis’ Fourth of July parade route was shortened to protect participants and viewers from the heat, the city said in a post. Takoma Park and Laurel both canceled their parades and outdoor celebrations because of the high temperatures. Severna Park in Anne Arundel County announced it would postpone its parade until next weekend on July 11.

Montgomery County Department of Transportation said it would provide buses to act as cooling stations for two of the area’s Fourth of July celebrations in Germantown and Kensington.

In Baltimore, organizers for the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival pushed back its start time to 5 p.m. on Saturday due to the extreme heat.

If you’re driving to Washington D.C. for the festivities this weekend, the U.S. Capitol Police said it delayed opening up the U.S. Capitol grounds for the Friday concert until 7 p.m. Officials asked that guests bring “an ample supply of water” to stay hydrated. Security will permit coolers and non-glass water bottles for the event, police said.

The Great American State Fair was also temporarily closed on Friday until 5 p.m. due to the heat.

The Harbor Connector water taxi limited its service on Friday to protect its crews, canceling all service from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There may be further suspensions and cancelations, according to the Baltimore City Department of Transportation.

In Anne Arundel County, delays were piling up on New Cut Road. Police said the heat affected three lanes of traffic that were in need of repairs.

Amtrak announced earlier this week that its trains could experience delays through Saturday because of the “extreme temperatures in the Northeast.”

Protect yourself

Medical experts say to limit your time in the sun and heat as much as possible this weekend. If you are outside, make sure you drink fluids and keep in mind the symptoms of heat-related illness. Get inside or in a cool place if you start to feel dizzy or light-headed. Seek medical attention or call 911 if you have any of these symptoms:

• Muscle pain or spasms
• Feeling hot but not sweating
• Heart racing
• Vomiting
• Extreme weakness
• Nausea
• Disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Rapid, shallow breathing

Baltimore is under a Code Red Alert, which means it has activated cooling centers and extended hours at city pools. Anne Arundel County extended hours and days for its cooling centers as well.

A list of cooling centers in every Maryland county is available on the Maryland Department of Health’s website.

This story has been updated.