John Matthews
WMAL.com
WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Thank you, Willis Carrier.
Back in the summer of 1902 in Buffalo, New York, Carrier, an engineer, designed what has been recognized as the first modern air conditioning system. He received a patent for it in 1906, and thanks to him, most of us can now merely complain about the heat as we look outside our homes and offices at the sweaty people passing by.
Carrier’s invention is sure to be working overtime, as the heat wave which began late last week is set to linger for most of this week as well.
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for the entire DC area, extending from Noon Monday through 8 pm Monday evening.
High temperatures are expected to peak at close to 100 degrees Monday, and with added humidity, Heat Index values are expected to top out at 108 degrees.
The DC Government is advising residents without air conditioning to go to a cooling center, which includes all city recreation centers, public libraries and Senior Wellness Centers. Residents can also cool off at one of a number of spray parks or public swimming pools.
In an effort to beat the heat, DC trash and recycling crews are starting collections an hour early this week, with pickups starting at 6 am through Friday.
Here’s the latest Heat Advisory information from the National Weather Service:
444 AM EDT MON JUL 25 2016
…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING…
* HEAT INDEX VALUES…UP TO 108 DUE TO TEMPERATURES BETWEEN 95 TO
100…AND DEWPOINTS IN THE LOWER 70S.
* IMPACTS…RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR-
CONDITIONING OR THOSE OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HIGH TEMPERATURES IS
EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY
WILL CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE.
TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE… RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.
TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK… THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY – CALL 911.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Carrier Corporation/public domain)
