Updated March 2025
Baltimore’s July Climate in 2025
Baltimore’s hottest month can bring scorching temperatures and pose significant challenges for you and your family. The summer of 2024 was one of the hottest on record, with an average July temperature of 82.2°F. Climate projections suggest even hotter summers are ahead. The urban heat island effect makes some areas, particularly East Baltimore, 8–10°F hotter than official readings. With extreme heat becoming more frequent, it’s essential to take proactive measures to safeguard your home and health.
The Role of Insulation in Heat Protection
Keeping your home cool starts with proper insulation. Insulation blocks heat transfer, reducing strain on your air conditioner and improving your home’s energy efficiency. In fact, summer energy-saving tips for homeowners include upgrading insulation, which can cut energy costs by 15%.
Yet, sadly, 90% of U.S. homes are under-insulated, and many Baltimore homes lack sufficient thermal protection. Options like spray foam and fiberglass insulation help prevent heat buildup, keeping your indoor spaces more comfortable while reducing cooling costs.
Cooling Strategies for Homes
There are many home cooling strategies that can help keep your indoor temperatures manageable, such as utilizing ceiling fans, blackout curtains, and reflective window film to help reduce heat absorption.
As for your AC, scheduling AC maintenance and replacing filters regularly can help lower your cooling costs, while smart thermostats help automate temperature adjustments, preventing unnecessary energy use.
Also avoid heat-producing activities like cooking or laundry during peak heat hours to minimize indoor temperature spikes. (That’s one strategy we can embrace wholeheartedly!)
Health and Safety Considerations
Staying hydrated is crucial and you should always follow hydration tips for extreme heat. How to avoid dehydration during a heatwave starts with drinking plenty of water and limiting caffeine and alcohol. Dehydration increases your risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can be fatal if untreated. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, and, in severe cases, lack of sweating.
Checking on vulnerable populations in heat, such as elderly neighbors can help prevent fatalities and keep your community safe during a heatwave. If you must be outdoors, follow best practices for sun protection and cool clothing for summer by wearing lightweight, breathable fabrics, applying sunscreen, and seeking shade whenever possible.
And remember, the best times for outdoor activities in hot weather are early mornings and early evenings, before 11:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m., although it’s often best to stay indoors during extreme temperatures.
Preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke throughout the hottest part of the year is an important piece to enjoying your Baltimore summer to its fullest.
Community Resources and Emergency Planning
Baltimore activates Code Red Heat Alerts when the heat index exceeds 100–105°F, opening cooling centers for residents needing relief. It’s crucial to use these facilities, as the importance of staying in air-conditioned spaces cannot be overstated during extreme heat. If you don’t have AC please find and go to your nearest cooling center.
Also, programs like LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) assist low-income families with cooling costs, while BGE offers budget plans and efficiency incentives. Public pools and splash pads often extend hours on extreme heat days, providing free cooling alternatives.
Pet and Wildlife Protection
Don’t forget, pets and wildlife are also affected by extreme heat. Remember to never leave your pets in your parked car, where temperatures can rise 30–40°F above outdoor levels. Hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws, so walk them on the grass or give them protective booties to wear.
For wildlife, placing shallow water dishes in shaded areas will help them survive extreme temperatures. Also, reducing pesticide use will also protect the bees and butterflies, who struggle to find hydration sources during heatwaves.
Preparing Your Home for Summer
Schedule a pre-season HVAC check-up to prevent breakdowns during heatwaves. Upgrading to a smart thermostat and Energy Star-rated appliances can also further improve efficiency. Attic ventilation and insulation upgrades will significantly reduce heat transfer, keeping your home cooler and lowering your energy bills. Also, consider planting shade trees and using reflective roofing materials as additional strategies to minimize heat absorption.
Insulation Solutions to Keep You Comfortable
Unfortunately, our Baltimore summers are only getting hotter, making insulation and smart cooling essential for your long-term comfort and safety. Implementing Baltimore heat wave survival tips, such as upgrading insulation, utilizing cooling strategies, and using city resources, are the best ways to help you stay safe and energy efficient.
At Foam InSEALators, we specialize in high-performance insulation solutions to keep your home cooler and reduce energy costs. We’ve walked alongside our Baltimore community through every summer since 1994 and are here to keep you and your family comfortable through many more.
Contact us today to learn how insulation upgrades can help you beat the heat.
References
Baltimore Office of Sustainability. “Urban Heat Island Sensors.” Baltimore City Office of Sustainability, www.baltimoresustainability.org/urban-heat-island-sensors/. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.baltimoresustainability.org
baltimoresustainability.org
Baltimore City Health Department. “Health Commissioner Extends Code Red Extreme Heat Alert through Monday.” Baltimore City Health Department Press Release, 25 July 2022. Accessed via content.govdelivery.com.
content.govdelivery.com
content.govdelivery.com
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE). “Beat the Heat: BGE Tips to Help Lower Energy Bills.” BGE Now, 17 June 2024, www.bgenow.com/2024/06/17/beat-the-heat-bge-tips-to-help-lower-energy-bills/
BGE Get Wise. “Energy-Efficiency Tips.” BGE Get Wise (educational portal), dhs.maryland.gov/bge.getwise.org/energy-efficiency-tips. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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BGE Smart Energy. “Seasonal Readiness: Summer Savings.” BGE Smart Energy, bgesmartenergy.com/residential/earn-incentives/eventscentral/seasonal. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.bgesmartenergy.com
CBS Baltimore. “Canton has the highest urban heat index in Baltimore.” CBS News, 2023, www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/. (Data source: Climate Central urban heat analysis)
cbsnews.com
Climate Central. “Urban Heat Hot Spots: Urban Heat Islands 2023.” Climate Central, 2023, www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/urban-heat-islands-2023
Current Results. “Baltimore MD – Average Temperatures by Month (1991–2020).” CurrentResults.com, 2021, www.currentresults.com/Weather/Maryland/Places/baltimore-temperatures-by-month-average
Energy Star. “Why Seal and Insulate?” Energystar.gov. n.d. https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/seal_insulate/why-seal-and-insulate
Mid-Atlantic Regional Integrated Sciences & Assessments (MARISA). Mid-Atlantic Climate Impacts Summary: Summer 2024. NOAA & Penn State University, Sept. 2024.
midatlanticrisa.org
National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). “July 2024 National Climate Report.” NOAA NCEI, Aug. 2024, www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/monitoring/monthly-report/national/202407
National Weather Service (NWS). “Baltimore MD Temperatures (1871–2024).” NOAA/NWS Climate Data, updated 24 Jan. 2025, www.weather.gov/media/lwx/climate/
New Baltimore Animal Hospital. “10 Summer Safety Tips for Pets.” New Baltimore Animal Hospital, 26 June 2024, newbaltimoreanimalhosp.com/news/summer-safety-tips.newbaltimoreanimalhosp.com
newbaltimoreanimalhosp.com
Round, Ian, et al. “Code Red: In Urban Heat Islands, Climate Crisis Hits Harder.” Capital News Service (Maryland), 3 Sept. 2019, cnsmaryland.org/interactives/summer-2019/code-red/neighborhood-heat-inequality.html.
cnsmaryland.org
Weather Spark. “July Weather in Baltimore, MD – Average High/Low Temperature.” WeatherSpark, weatherspark.com/m/21918/7/Average-Weather-in-July-in-Baltimore-Maryland-United-States. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
weatherspark.com
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Woodland Trust. “How do heatwaves affect wildlife? (Helping Wildlife in Summer Heatwave).” Woodland Trust (UK), 9 Aug. 2022, www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2022/08/how-heatwaves-affect-wildlife