Photo by Mr. T in DC

As you might have heard, it’s going to be hot today. The longest day of the year is also shaping up to be the most scorching, oppressive and downright face-melting, with temperatures expected to reach 97 degrees by this afternoon and a heat index that will make the air outside feel like it’s 100 to 105 degrees. Ouch.

The National Weather Service is putting into effect a heat advisory beginning at noon today as much of the mid-Atlantic region faces excessive temperatures and humidity. And the D.C. government is issuing a hyperthermia alert set to go into effect at 10 a.m., with residents being advised to stay indoors and away from the brutal heat wave as much as possible.

The hyperthermia warning emphasizes staying inside between 10 and 3 p.m., when the sun will be at its strongest. The city’s cooling centers will be open for residents—especially seniors—who have limited or no access to more comfortable environments.

And everyone should dress and nourish themselves for the occasion. Loose-fitting clothing and hats are suggested—hell, just see if you can break out your jorts in the office. And drink lots and lots of water. Caffeine is important, of course, but it’s also dehydrating. Drinking lots of coffee and not balancing it out with other liquids is a recipe for easy heat exhaustion or worse.

Crank up the air conditioning or, if you must go outside, stay in the shade. And if you’re driving around, be sure not to leave children, old people or pets in the car after you park.

There are other heat-related precautions already in place. Garbage pickup through the end of the week is taking place an hour earlier than usual. And yard work during the daytime is a most inadvisable activity.

Yeah, it’s going to be a broiler today. So be careful.

And tomorrow’s forecast: Same thing, different day. Feel free to complete the headline in the comments below.