Heat Index to Top 100 in Arlington Thanks to 'Heat Dome'

By Jesse Biele

Arlingtonians will want to fill plenty of reusable bottles with tap water this week, because it's going to be a scorcher. 

Temperatures will break the 95-degree mark nearly every day, with heat indices pushing past 100 degrees at least twice. It will feel like 103 outside in Arlington on Tuesday; 101 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

This surge in temperatures is thanks to a large heat dome moving into the region, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

What is a heat dome? According to National Weather Service meteorologist Eli Jacks, a heat dome is a combination of hot summer weather exacerbated by cloudless skies and the sun's higher angle during the summer.

"When a high pressure system develops in the upper atmosphere, the air below it sinks and compresses because there's more weight on top, causing temperatures in the lower atmosphere to heat up," Jacks told the Associated Press. "The dome of high pressure also pushes the jet stream and its drier, cooler air, farther north — it's now well into Canada — while hot, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico circulates clockwise around the dome, traveling farther inland than normal."

If you'll be spending time outdoors this week, you'll want to take steps to avoid heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other issues related to excessive heat exposure.

Excessive heat exposure can cause several health problems including heat cramps, which are painful spasms of your arm, leg and/or abdomen muscles, says Patient First, a primary and urgent care center with five locations in Northern Virginia.

People experiencing these symptoms should rest in a cooler place and drink water or fluids containing electrolytes.

Heat exhaustion symptoms include profuse sweating, headache, dizziness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, skin that feels cool and moist, and muscle cramps.  

If you or someone you know are experiencing these symptoms, move him or her to a cooler location, apply cool wet cloths to their body, and give them cool water to drink. If the person vomits or refuses to drink, call 911.

Follow these tips to avoid heat-related illnesses:

• Wear appropriate lightweight clothing.
• Drink water throughout the day.
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activity on hot days.
• Take frequent breaks in a cool place.