Heat Advisory Friday for most of Virginia

A Heat Advisory is in effect Friday for most of the Commonwealth from Noon to 8PM for heat indices ranging 105-110 degrees in the shade. Today's forecast high temperature of 101 degrees in Richmond could tie our record high for this date, July 29th, which was set just a year ago in 2010. This end-of-week heat wave is in response to an expanding upper-level high pressure ridge into our region again, much like a week ago today, with the jet stream remaining well to our north. Southerly flow allowed moisture content to also creep back up high enough to warrant this Heat Advisory:

This isn't our first dangerously hot and humid day of the year, but in case you need the reminders of how to stay safe today, click here for an excellent summary by the American Red Cross. This may be a great page to print off and post for your workplace, home or daycare center!

In addition to the heat and humidity, there is also a Code Orange Air Quality Alert in effect for the Richmond and Petersburg metro areas and surrounding counties in the heart of central Virgina.

A Code Orange means that it is unhealthy for sensitive groups (those with respiratory conditions like asthma, people with heart ailments, older adults, and children) to engage in heavy or prolonged outdoor activity. You can learn more about Air Quality by clicking here.

Stay with CBS6, we'll keep you ahead of the storm.
--Meteorologist Carrie Rose