Forecast: Sunny and hot, high near 101

The National Weather Service was calling for Thursday to be sunny and hot, with a high near 101 degrees and south winds between 5 and 10 miles per hour. Heat index values will be as high as 111. Thursday night was expected to be mostly clear, with a low around 84 and sound winds between 5 and 7 miles per hour.

An excessive heat warning was in effect for Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. and Friday from noon to 8 p.m. An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot temperatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which high illnesses are likely.

Baltimore City has opened its cooling centers Thursday and Friday to provide free air conditioning and water for residents. In addition, city residents can seek relief from the heat at any branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library during normal business hours. Surrounding counties are also directing residents to public library branches and senior centers to get out of the heat .

In Baltimore City, five cooling centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p. m. Thursday and Friday and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. They are located:

Six more cooling centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday only. They are located:

Friday was expected to be mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 104 degrees and west winds around 6 miles per hour. Heat index values will be as high as 116. Friday night was expected to be partly cloudy, with lows around 83 and calm winds. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m.