WILLIAMSBURG — The National Weather Service has extended a heat advisory for James City County and surrounding areas through 8 p.m. Thursday, warning that heat index values could reach 105 to 108 degrees.
The advisory, issued by the NWS office in Wakefield, began at 11 a.m. Wednesday and covers a wide swath of central, east central, north central, south central and southeast Virginia, including James City County. Hot temperatures and high humidity could cause heat-related illnesses, the NWS said.
Actual air temperatures are expected to reach the mid-90s Wednesday, while high humidity will push the heat index above 100 degrees during the afternoon. The NWS said overnight lows in the mid-70s will provide little relief from the heat.
The advisory follows a scorching Tuesday, when temperatures reached 96 degrees. Storms are also possible today, with a chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms, but the heat risk will remain.
The NWS is urging people to take precautions, including drinking plenty of fluids and staying in air-conditioned spaces when possible. People should limit strenuous outdoor activity to the early morning or evening, wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing and check on relatives and neighbors, especially those without air conditioning.
People should also watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The heat is expected to continue Thursday before temperatures moderate later in the week.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story included a map that contained geographic inaccuracies. The map has been removed.
