Friday, July 3, 2026: Baltimore woke up in a sweat, with early-morning temperatures already near 86°F and almost no cooling overnight. By midafternoon, the city is expected to roast near 102°F, with the heat index projected to spike into the 110-113°F range during the hottest hours. An Extreme Heat Warning covers much of the city through this evening, and air quality is running low enough that officials are urging people in sensitive groups to take it easy.
Heat Warning And Safety
The Extreme Heat Warning from the National Weather Service is in effect from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and again on Saturday, July 4, with forecasters calling for dangerous heat and heat indices near 110-113°F. The agency advises, "Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, and check up on relatives and neighbors." Residents are urged to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the midafternoon hours and to never leave children or pets in parked vehicles, even for a short time.
What To Expect Today And Tonight
The most brutal stretch will be roughly 1 to 5 p.m., when light northwest winds will offer almost no relief from the heat. Tonight will stay sticky, with a low near 82°F and only a small chance of showers or thunderstorms between about 10 p.m. and 1 a.m., around 20 percent. Any storms that do pop up could bring a quick burst of heavy rain, but they are expected to be hit or miss. If you have evening plans, keep an eye on the sky and be ready to head indoors if something flares up.
Find Cooling Centers And Plan Ahead
Cooling centers and expanded pool hours are opening around the region for anyone who needs a break from the heat. Locations and hours are listed by the Maryland Department of Health. Officials recommend limiting outdoor work to early morning or evening, drinking extra water through the day, and checking in on neighbors or anyone who might be sensitive to the heat. Residents should also be ready to tweak Fourth of July plans if storms build during the afternoon.
Holiday Weekend Outlook
Saturday, July 4, is expected to bring another round of dangerous midafternoon heat, with highs again near 102°F and a growing chance of showers and thunderstorms after about 3 p.m. Forecasters put the odds of Saturday afternoon storms at roughly 30 percent. Sunday should ease up slightly, with highs closer to 94°F but a higher chance of scattered thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon and evening. Early next week looks a bit cooler on the thermometer, although the humidity is expected to hang around.
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