Amid local heat and air quality advisories, all outdoor daytime activities at Montgomery County public schools will be held inside Wednesday due to extreme temperatures, according to the district.
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a heat advisory from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday for portions of Maryland, including central and southeast Montgomery County.
The county expects to see temperatures hit roughly 97 degrees, with 68% humidity, according to the Weather Channel. According to the NWS, heat index values are expected to reach 105 to 109 degrees. The heat index is defined as what the temperature feels like due to the combination of relative humidity and air temperature, according to the NWS.
The Maryland Department of the Environment also issued a Code Orange air quality alert Wednesday.
A Code Orange air quality alert means the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups. According to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, sensitive groups such as people with heart or lung diseases, older adults and children should make outdoor activities shorter and less intense.
Montgomery County Public Schools announced in a community email Tuesday evening that all outdoor activities, including lunch, recess and any classes on Wednesday, will be moved inside. The district also said the schedule for athletics will be shifted to later in the day, with competition start times delayed until 6 p.m. or rescheduled.
According to the district’s email, coaches, officials and athletic trainers are expected to monitor student-athletes during competitions held after 6 p.m. Mandatory water breaks must be held every 15 to 20 minutes. Students should have ample water, access to ice towels and the use of a cold immersion tub.
On social media, the Maryland Department of Health recommended drinking water, limiting time outside, seeking air conditioning and checking in on the elderly or those living alone. To prevent heat-related illness, people should stay indoors as much as possible, move to the lower floors of buildings, schedule outdoor activities for cooler times of the day and take frequent breaks, according to the health department’s website.