An “Excessive Heat Watch” has been issued for Friday as the region braces for a sweltering weekend.

Forecasters are warning of a “prolonged period of hot temperatures” and humidity which will “create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

The predicted high temperatures for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are 99, 97 and 100 respectively. From the National Weather Service.

… EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING…

* HEAT INDEX VALUES… UP TO 110 DEGREES.

* TEMPERATURES… UPPER 90S TO AROUND 100 DEGREES.

* IMPACT… RISK OF HEAT EXHAUSTION OR OTHER HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS FOR THOSE WITHOUT AIR-CONDITIONING OR THOSE SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

AN EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH MEANS THAT A PROLONGED PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY WILL CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS… STAY IN AN AIR- CONDITIONED ROOM… STAY OUT OF THE SUN AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS.