Temperatures in Baltimore will hit a high of 101 degrees on Saturday marking the first heat wave of the year in Maryland.

The heat will continue into Sunday and early into next week, raising concerns about the safety of residents.

Baltimore city has already declared a Code Red heat emergency from June 21 to June 24, meaning the heat index will climb to 105 degrees or higher (information on cooling centers can be found at the bottom of this article.

Maryland is seeing more heat incidents for longer periods of time due to climate change in the area, according to Maryland Department of Health Environmental Bureau Director Clifford Mitchell.

That’s causing additional problems for the health of Marylanders.

“We're looking at two kinds of health problems when we think about the heat, one is the direct effect of the heat itself,” Mitchell said. “The other thing we're seeing are problems like the Canadian wildfires last year, where the heat causes indirect effects, which can also affect large populations.”

Heat and bad air quality can be especially dangerous for vulnerable populations like older people, young children and people with preexisting conditions. It also impacts athletes exerting themselves outside.

During the heat wave, Mitchell said people should look for signs of heat exhaustion like dizziness, nausea, weakness or headache.

People experiencing these symptoms should cool their bodies immediately.

Mitchell said everyone should take precautions this weekend.

If you do need to go outside, ensure that you drink plenty of water and take breaks from strenuous activity.

Avoiding alcohol or caffeine is advisable and staying indoors during the hottest time of day (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) can help reduce risk.

People are also encouraged to go to libraries for air conditioning if they are feeling overheated.

Cooling centers in Baltimore can be found at:

Senior Centers* – open as cooling centers on Code Red Extreme Heat days, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

• Harford Senior Center 4920 Harford Rd. (410) 426-4009 
• Hatton Senior Center 2825 Fait Ave. (410) 396-9025
• Oliver Senior Center 1700 Gay St. (410) 396-3861
• Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging 4501 Reisterstown Rd.  (410) 396-3535 

Mayor's Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) – From June 1st through September 1st, sites are open as cooling centers on Code Red Extreme Heat days. Days and times vary per location.

• Beans & Bread 400 S. Bond St. Monday – Friday  9:00 AM – 1:00 PM  
• My Sisters Place Women’s Center (open to women and children only) 17 W. Franklin St.  Everyday 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM  
• Manna House 435 E. 25th St. Monday – Friday  11:30 AM – 3:00 PM  
• Franciscan Center  101 W. 23rd St.  Monday – Friday  10:00 AM – 1:00 PM  
• Weinberg Housing & Resource Center  (WHRC) 620 Fallsway Everyday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM  

Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)* – the sites below will open as a cooling center on Code Red Extreme Heat days, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM.

• Cherry Hill Homes 2700 Spelman Road   
• Brooklyn Homes 4140 10th Street   

Community Cooling Center

• ShopRite of Howard Park  4601 Liberty Heights Ave.  Sunday – Saturday  6:00 AM – 10:00 PM