Baltimore, MD — The first stretch of hot and humid weather to hit Maryland is going to make life miserable and foul air quality, according to weather forecasters.

"An official heat wave is likely to occur along the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia," writes AccuWeather meteorologist Brett Rathbun. "This will be the hottest weather so far this year." You can expect temperatures in the mid-90s through Saturday with the "feels like" heat index hitting at times over 100 degrees from Baltimore to Washington, DC, on Thursday and Friday, forecasters say.

The sizzling heat will also worsen air conditions across several counties. The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a "code orange" air quality alert for Wednesday, July 6. The code orange air quality alert includes Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties.



During a "code orange" situation, the air may be unhealthy for sensitive groups—such as children, older adults, asthmatics and those with heart and lung problems—due to pollution concentrations. People can avoid the effects of air pollution by not exercising outside and abstaining from strenuous activity, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Here's the forecast for the area, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light and variable wind becoming west around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind 3 to 5 mph. Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 100. West wind 5 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.