Lake Ridge and Northern Virginia are under a "code red" air quality alert. AirNow.gov shows the current conditions with an air quality index of 161, solidly in the "unhealthy" range.
"Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors," said AirNow.gov. "Everyone else, especially children, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors."
Late June will feel late August this weekend in the Lake Ridge and Occoquan areas, as temperatures reach the upper 90s through Monday.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Prince William County area today. NWS' forecast calls for heat index values to up to 110-115 degrees today.
What's a heat index? It calculates how the air feels with humidity and other factors -- it could feel like 110 degress when the actual temperature is around 94 degrees.
Temperatures will climb to 99 Saturday and 101 Sunday. Temperatures will drop back to 96 Monday and 92 Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service extended forecast. Saturday and Sunday will be sunny and mostly clear.
The humidity will hover around 50 percent during the day, rising slightly overnight through Monday.
Keeping Cool: Pools and Cooling Centers
Check out these public community pools in Lake Ridge and Occoquan
From the Park Authority:
|
Location |
June 16- Sept. 3 |
Fees |
|
Birchdale Pool |
Daily: 12 noon - 6 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays
|
Open Swim: |
|
Graham Park Pool |
Daily: 12 noon – 6 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays |
Open Swim: Youth, 2–17: $3.50 |
|
Hammill Mill Pool |
Daily: noon – 6 p.m. Closed on Thursdays |
Open Swim: |
|
Veterans Park Pool |
Mon-Thu:noon– 6 p.m. Closed on all (Aug. 14 –Sep. 3) |
Open Swim: |
Waterpark Locations:
WaterWorks Waterpark at Andrew Leitch Regional Park 5301 Dale Blvd, Dale City
Hours: June 16–Aug. 12
Mon. – Thurs. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Fri. (June 22, 29 and July 6, 20) 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Fri. (July 27 – Aug. 10) 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sat./Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Holidays: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Admission fees: $7 (over 48-inches-tall), $5.50 (for under 48-inches-tall) with infants up to 1 year free. Family punch passes (good for 20 visits) are available for $120. A 20-visit family bargain pass is available for $70 for those who wish to use the park only after 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more about this weekend's heat: