UPDATE: Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Northern Fairfax County

UPDATE 5:06 pm. The National Weather service has issued a severe thunderstorm WARNING for northern Fairfax County.

UPDATE 1:43pm. The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for McLean and the Washington Metro area until 9p.m.

The earlier heat advisory remains in effect. At this hour it is 98 degrees in McLean, and it feels like a broiler.

Forecasts:

• Wednesday night: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 93. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

ORIGINAL STORY:  The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for McLean, Fairfax and the Washington area.

Fairfax County officials alerted residents to the heat advisory, saying outside temperatures will feel like 105 degrees.  The actual high temperature will be in the upper 90s.

A heat advisory means the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a situation in which heat illnesses are possible, according to the Weather Service.

Here are the Wednesday and Thursday forecasts:

• Wednesday. A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. West wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Wednesday Night. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph becoming light and variable. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
• Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 90. Northwest wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

How to Protect Yourself.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun.

And check on elderly relatives and neighbors. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible.  

Never leave small children or pets unattended in vehicles.  Temperatures inside the vehicle can rapidly climb to 130 degrees.  

When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.   

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency — call 911.

Here are our favorite places to stay cool in McLean.  Please let us know yours.

1. . Our top choice. Very cool. Great view, soothing view of the woods. Comfortable chairs and desks. Lots of nooks where you can curl up. The comfy chairs come with cup holders.

2.  is open from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Especially the movie theaters: The crowds are now a little smaller for local showings of summer blockbusters, but may swell again when Batman opens next week. See showtimes for the AMC Theaters at Tysons for information. 

Or, just sit in the mall. There is a great sitting area just outside Macy's on the first level. Starbucks is adjacent. Just sip and people watch.

3. Tysons Galleria is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  This is the Fifth Avenue of McLean. There's a great Starbucks on the first level.

4. This is McLean's best Starbucks. Cool temperatures. It's two levels, spacious and airy, and larger than the one in downtown McLean.