Today has been declared “Code Orange,” weather-wise. I’m still not clear why it’s not called something more creative, like “Miserable Maroon Monday,” “Red Hot Heat,” or even just “Code Red,” (what is orange supposed to imply? acid?), but that’s another thing entirely.

MSNBC.com‘s local news page reported:

The National Weather Service forecasts the temperature in the Washington region to reach 96 degrees with the heat index expected to approach 100 degrees.

Monday has been named a code orange air quality day, which means high temperatures combined with high humidity may create a dangerous situation for children, the elderly and those who suffer from chronic heart or respiratory conditions.

Unfortunately, I didn’t read the article until I got to work today, meaning that I suffered the 15-minute walk to Adams Morgan in a pair of “just out of the dryer (and a bit too tight)” jeans. I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m hoping they’ll stretch to the comfortable fit I’m used to by the end of the day, but since things tend to expand when they get hot, I might need the Jaws of Life to get these suckers off tonight.