While the weather in Carroll this week will not break any temperature records, the next few days will be a couple of hot ones.
Temperatures are expected to stay in the 90s the remainder of this week, with Thursday and Friday temps in the upper 90s, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Carl Erickson said.
Because of the humidity, Wednesday will feel like 105 degrees with Thursday and Friday feeling like 105 to 110 degrees, Erickson said.
During the heat wave, Carroll County residents should wear light colored clothing, stay hydrated, drink little caffeine and alcohol and do gardening in the early hours or early evening. They should also not leave children or pets in the car, even if the windows are down, Erickson said.
Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, also had tips to help residents stay cool.
They should drink plenty of fluids and take breaks if doing work outside, he said. People should also check on their neighbors during the hot week.
"Essentially, be careful," Jackson said.
Temperatures are not expected to reach triple digits this week. While the last three summers have been hotter than normal, Jackson does not predict temperatures above 100 degrees this summer, he said.
"It's really not normal to hit 100 degrees," he said.
Currently, temperatures are only about 7 degrees above normal, he said. This is the first time Westminster has seen temperatures in the mid-90s this year, but not the first time the temperature has hit low 90s, Jackson said.
Westminster saw 90-degree weather in April, May and June, he said.
The last day of the heat will be Saturday, with temperatures in the low 90s and a possibility of strong storms in the afternoon, he said. The storm is the result of a cold front, moving down from Canada, meeting the patch of hot, humid weather, Erickson said.
A storm at the end of a heat wave is not unusual, Jackson said. The temperatures will drop following the storm, with Sunday, Monday and Tuesday temperature in the 80s, Jackson said.
The storm may produce hail, wind gusts and heavy downpours, Erickson said.
The storm also has a possibility for causing power outages, Jackson said.
Baltimore Gas & Electric prepares year-round for power-outage causing storms, spokeswoman Rachael Lighty said.
Due to the heat, BGE increased the number of crews out, a situation that will also happen if there is a storm, she said.
BGE has also provided tips for customers to keep energy usage down during the heat. The utility suggests customers manage their thermostat, check air conditioner placement and size, use fans, use appliances wisely, keep shades or blinds drawn, use energy efficient appliances and light bulbs and turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, according to a press release.
If customers use all the tips, they can reduce energy use by 20 percent or more, the release states.
BGE customers are encouraged to keep their thermostats at a comfortable level when they are at home. By using a programmable thermostat, they can save $180 a year, according to the press release. During extremely hot days, they can raise the settings on the thermostat to help save energy, according to the release.
Customers could save 3 to 5 percent for every degree they raise the thermostat over 78 degrees, Lighty said.
However, people who raise the thermostat need to be mindful of heat sensitivity of older people, she said.
Customers can balance the thermostat increase by keeping their blinds drawn, which can lower the temperature in the house by 5 degrees, Lighty said.
About 40 percent of unwanted heat gain comes through windows, according to the press release.
"Window sills are one of the biggest culprits to letting in hot, unwanted hot air in the summer time," Lighty said.
