High of 98 at BWI ties record
Yesterday's high temperature of 98 degrees at BWI-Marshall Airport tied the record for the date, set in 1991. Ninety-eight degrees is also the record high for the month of May, reached on several May dates in 1925, 1941, 1962, 1991 and, now, 2011.
It was 92 degrees on the WeatherDeck in Cockeysville, 96 at The Sun's weather station at Calvert and Centre streets, and 99 degrees at the Inner Harbor.
Mary Ellen Hluska sent us the photo of the thermometer: "This was taken [around 6 p.m.] in southeast Baltimore. It's a meat thermometer measuring the SW wall of my house. The measurement time was approximately 3 minutes. It was still going up, but I had to go in."
Today's forecast high for BWI is a relatively cool 93 degrees, although we can probably count on 
exceeding that by a bit. The record high for Baltimore on the 31st of May is 96 degrees, set in 1991, so that record may be within reach, too.
The National Weather Service has posted a Heat Advisory for the region again today until 8 p.m. That means the combination of high temperatures and high humidity will raise the risks of heat-related illness. The Baltimore Health Department has declared a Code Red Heat Alert for Tuesday, opening cooling centers across the city. Please check on neighbors, relatives and friends who may be vulnerable to the heat today. From the Weather Service:
"THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS TO DRINK PLENTY OF
FLUIDS. WATER AND SPORTS DRINKS ARE THE BEST CHOICES. IF YOU MUST
BE OUTSIDE...TAKE FREQUENT BREAKS IN THE SHADE DURING THE
AFTERNOON SUN. SPEND TIME IN AN AIR CONDITIONED ROOM DURING THE
HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. NEVER LEAVE CHILDREN OR PETS IN A CAR...
TEMPERATURES INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAN EXCEED 130 DEGREES IN A
MATTER OF MINUTES."
There is also a Code Orange Air Quality Alert in effect again for this afternoon as air pollution rises to levels that pose a health risk to vulnerable populations, such as the very young, the elderly and those with respiratory problems. If you fall into those categories, stay indoors today, or in locations with air conditioning.
If there is any relief ahead, it could come with thunderstorms on Wednesday. Some of those storms could be severe, with damaging winds and large hail. Daytime highs should fall back into the 80s by Friday and through the weekend.
