The first prolonged stretch of dangerous heat of the summer is expected to arrive just in time for the holiday week.
An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect Wednesday afternoon through Saturday evening for much of the Philadelphia region, South Jersey, Delaware, and surrounding areas.
Heat index values could climb as high as 105° to 110°, with the most dangerous conditions expected Thursday and Friday. One of the biggest concerns is that overnight temperatures will only fall into the 70s, and in some areas near 80°, giving little relief and increasing the risk of heat-related illness over several days.
If you have outdoor plans for the Fourth of July, now is the time to start planning ahead.
A few reminders:
Drink plenty of water—even if you don’t feel thirsty.
Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning.
Check on older family members, neighbors, and anyone without reliable cooling.
Make sure pets have plenty of fresh water and never leave children or animals in a parked car—even for a minute.
I’ll continue to keep you updated as we fine-tune just how hot it gets and whether this watch is upgraded to warnings later this week. Stay cool and stay weather aware!