Harford County Gearing Up For Heat Wave

Today marks the first day of summer, and the weather is keeping up with the change.

High temperatures and high humidity paired with poor air quality conditions are making it hazardous for "sensitive groups" to be outside.

Temperatures throughout Harford County and surrounding counties are expected to reach the upper 90s, and in response the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the county through Thursday night.

In addition, the Maryland Department of the Environment has issued an air quality advisory for Wednesday.

Light, west-northwesterly winds are expected to combine with the hot and humid temperatures and cause ozone and fine particle levels to rise, according to the state agency.

According to the National Weather Service, the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will also create the possibility for heat-realted illnesses.

The weather service is also calling for a heat index of up to 105 degrees both Wednesday and Thursday. The heat index refers not to the actual temperature, but rather to how hot it feels.

"These conditions may pose particular danger for some residents, especially the elderly and those with other significant health concerns," according to a release from the Harford County Health Department.

The advisory encourages members of the community to drink plenty of fluids, stay near air conditioning and check on vulnerable relatives or neighbors.

In his post on heat related health risks, Patch health blogger writes, "Excessive heat exposure can cause several health problems including heat cramps, which are painful spasms of your arm, leg and/or abdomen muscles."

Clark recommends wearing appropriate light-weight clothing, drinking water throughout the day, avoiding strenuous outdoor activity on hot days and taking frequent breaks in a cool place in order to avoid heat exhaustion and other heat-related conditions.

The following are extreme weather tips from :

• Avoid outdoor activities as much as possible
• Close curtains or blinds to help keep the sun outside and in turn help reduce heat in rooms
• Delay using major heat producing appliances such as ovens, stoves and clothes dryers until the evening hours after the temperature begins to drop
• Use ceiling fans to help circulate air
• Use an outdoor grill or barbeque instead of the stove or oven
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water to stay hydrated, at least 64 ounces of water a day or more if necessary.

While the heat advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday, there may be some relief in sight.

A cold front is expected to enter the area Friday and a moderate air quality index is expected after the front passes through later that day, according to the state Department of the Enviroment.