VIRGINIA, USA — School districts in our area are taking precautions as dangerous heat hits the D.C. region on Wednesday. Much of our area is under a heat advisory. With temperatures expected to be near the triple digits, these DMV school districts have canceled outdoor activities. Here is a list of the counties impacted so far.
Fairfax County:
Between 1 and 7 p.m. (or until the advisory or warning expires), all FCPS school-based outdoor activities on school grounds are canceled, or moved indoors when possible, including, but not limited to:
- Physical education classes
- Recess
- Middle school afterschool programs
- Recreation programs and community use by outside groups not affiliated with FCPS
High school athletic team practices and competitions may continue. Decisions will be made by athletic trainers who closely monitor conditions to ensure safety. More information can be found on the Extracurricular Activity during Extreme Hot and Humid Weather Conditions page of our website. Individual teams will communicate any changes directly to parents/caregivers.
Employees whose job function requires outdoor work (e.g., landscaping, groundskeeping, warehousing, general facilities, etc.) are to complete the remainder of their workday indoors. Alternate work activities that can be completed include required training, indoor maintenance, etc.
Prince William County:
PWCS moved all outdoor activities indoors between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Arlington County:
School officials said there will be no outdoor recess or other outdoor activities during school hours and during Extended Day. Athletic practices and other after-school athletic activities will also be moved indoors.
Montgomery County:
In a letter to parents, MCPS said due to the forecasted extreme heat, all school-day activities will be moved indoors, including lunch, recess, physical education classes and any outdoor activities.
After 6 p.m., MCPS Athletics will operate utilizing typical weather operations, with the following modifications:
- No outdoor contests may be conducted before 6 p.m. Start times must be pushed back to after 6 p.m. or contests must be rescheduled to another date per usual rescheduling protocol.
- For contests after 6 p.m., coaches, officials, and athletic trainers should monitor student-athletes carefully per usual protocol. Mandatory water breaks will be conducted every 15-20 minutes of game play. Ample water should be provided; access to ice towels and cold immersion tub should be available.
- Practices will be governed by the MCPS Athletics weather guidelines, with additional guidance provided to athletics specialists and athletic trainers.
Prince George's County:
All outdoor athletics and PGCPS after-school activities are canceled, according to school officials. All recesses will be held indoors.
Wednesday will be the hottest day this week with actual temperatures near 100 degrees, which will threaten record highs. It will feel like 100 to 105 degrees.
A WUSA9 Weather Impact Alert has been issued for Wednesday afternoon and evening for high heat followed by the potential of an isolated strong or severe thunderstorm.
