Heat advisory, unhealthy air quality alerts issued

Extreme temperatures due to a high pressure system over the mid-Atlantic combined with particle and ozone air pollution could make the next few days difficult for area residents.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory through 11 p.m. Wednesday.

The high today was expected to be 100, but the temperature at Winchester Regional Airport registered 100.8 at 4 p.m.

Afternoon heat index values: 105.

Tonight: Expect temperatures in the 70s in the extreme Eastern West Virginia Panhandle and Northern Virginia and 80s in Washington.

The NWS urges residents to drink fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors. The service warned to never leave children or pets in parked cars, where temperatures could climb to 130 degrees with the windows rolled down.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has issued an "orange" alert for air quality today.

The orange alert means that the air is unhealthy for sensitive groups - those with asthma or other lung ailments, and those easily affected by air pollution.