There’s an inside joke among Baltimoreans that, no matter when it’s scheduled, Artscape always falls on the hottest days of the summer.

While that may not be literally true, this weekend is shaping up to be dangerously hot and potentially rainy.

Baltimore and much of the surrounding region will be under an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service from noon-8 p.m. Friday, the first day of Artscape. The heat index could reach 110 degrees, according to forecasters.

Baltimore is under a Code Red Extreme Heat Alert that began Thursday and continues through Saturday.

“I urge all residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families,” the city’s interim health commissioner said in a statement.

Cooling centers will be open across the city, and all open Pratt Library branches are safe places to cool off during regular business hours, too. A map of cooling centers around the region can be found here.

Friday is forecast to be partly sunny and hot, according to the National Weather Service, with an expected high of 100 degrees in Baltimore. There is a 60% chance of precipitation Friday, mostly before 9 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday are both forecast to be cooler, with projected highs of 93 and 92 degrees, respectively. There is a chance of rain and storms both days.

Artscape is a rain or shine event, so plan ahead.

July was brutally hot in the region, with heat indexes as high as 110 degrees in some places and heat records shattered across the globe. Multiple people across the state have died from heat-related illness, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health.

This year, Artscape will include “cooling buses” that visitors can stop in to escape the heat, according to event organizers. There will also be multiple sunscreen stations around the event, which runs Friday to Sunday.

Staying safe in high temperatures is all about prevention, according to the Maryland Department of Health.

General tips for safety include:

• Staying hydrated
• Reducing outdoor activity
• Staying inside between 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Seeking relief in air conditioning

Babies and children should never be left in a closed vehicle, even for a short period of time.

Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical condition and requires immediate care, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

More to know about Artscape

Road closures for the festival — which is free to attend — have already begun. Some roads will remain closed until Tuesday.

Chaka Khan, the legendary “Queen of Funk,” is scheduled to be Artscape’s headline performer.

The festival has a long list of food and drink vendors lined up for the weekend, including local favorites like Ekiben and The Empanada Lady.

The festival is divided into zones and has four stages with different performers scheduled for the whole weekend. Each zone has different offerings, from public art to beer gardens.