Extreme heat forces delays and schedule changes across Maryland

Much of Maryland is under an extreme heat warning through Friday evening as temperatures climb into the triple digits.

The temperature hit 101 degrees at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday, though it fell short of the record of 103 degrees set in 1872, said Connor Belak, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Washington, D.C. did a set of record, though, with a temperature of 102 degrees measured at Reagan National airport, Belak said. The previous high was 101 degrees set in 1899.

Amtrak said at least 18 trains were canceled Thursday due to the weather conditions, and that trains may need to operate at slower speeds through Saturday for safety reasons, according to WJZ, a media partner of The Banner.

A strong ridge of high pressure is trapping very warm air across the Central and Eastern U.S., a phenomenon known as heat dome. The warning goes in effect from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, when heat index values could reach 112, according to the National Weather Service.

Heat waves are the deadliest form of extreme weather. Gov. Wes Moore declared a State of Preparedness ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, activating the Maryland Department of Emergency Management to prepare for the extreme heat. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also issued a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Saturday.

The Baltimore area could see a high of 103 degrees on Friday, according to Jeremy Geiger, a meteorologist with the weather service’s Baltimore/Washington office. He said the high for July 3 was 100, set in 1898.

Changes and cancellations

Some institutions, like Bowie State University, are taking precautions with the extreme heat. The higher education institution is transitioning all classes to online on Thursday. Most campus activities are also canceled and most campus buildings will be closed.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore, closed its campus on Thursday to reduce energy usage during the heat wave, saying the move aimed to help prevent potential power outages. Classes will be virtual.

The Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival, which was set to start at 1 p.m. Saturday, is being delayed to begin at 5 p.m. to avoid the hottest part of the day.

The Baltimore City Department of Public Works is also suspending residential recycling collections for the rest of this week, though trash collection will continue, to reduce crews’ exposure to heat. The department warned that additional changes could be needed due to the weather. Recycling centers will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. through this week.

In Annapolis, the heat wave prompted changes for Fourth of July festivities. The People’s Park Festival is rescheduled to July 11 from 1-5 p.m. The Independence Day Parade is still happening Saturday, but will have a shorter route. The city will also provide an air-conditioned cooling bus near the parade.

Stay safe

Marylanders should limit their time outdoors as much as possible and drink plenty of water, well before feeling thirsty. People should wear loose, lightweight clothing to help stay cool.

In Baltimore, cooling centers will be open through Saturday. All 22 city pools will remain open through the holiday weekend and will extend their hours.

Annapolis is also expanding cooling center hours amid the heat wave.

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