Category: Weather Alerts

HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THURSDAY TO 6 AM EDT
FRIDAY. EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY MORNING THROUGH
FRIDAY EVENING...

* WHAT...For the Heat Advisory, heat index values up to 103
  degrees expected. For the Excessive Heat Watch, dangerously hot
  conditions with heat index values up to 106 degrees possible.

* WHERE...Portions of northern Delaware, central, northern and
  southern New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania.

* WHEN...For the Heat Advisory, from 11 AM Thursday to 6 AM EDT
  Friday. For the Excessive Heat Watch, from Friday morning
  through Friday evening.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly
  increase the potential for heat related illnesses,
  particularly for those working or participating in outdoor
  activities.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Heat index values up to 103 degrees may be
  possible again on Saturday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-
conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives
and neighbors.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in
vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during
warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal
temperatures in a matter of minutes.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 5am

.    PENNSYLVANIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ADAMS                BERKS               BUCKS
CARBON               CHESTER             DAUPHIN
DELAWARE             LANCASTER           LEBANON
LEHIGH               MONROE              MONTGOMERY
NORTHAMPTON          PHILADELPHIA        SCHUYLKILL
YORK

AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR WEDNESDAY JULY 12...

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has issued a
code orange air quality alert Wednesday for The Philadelphia
Metro area.

A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution
concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for
sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children...people
suffering from asthma... heart disease or other lung
diseases...and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can
be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has declared a Code Red Air Quality Action Day for all of Pennsylvania for fine particulate matter for June 29, 2023, due to smoke from Canadian wildfires. 

The average Air Quality Index readings for the entire day will likely be in the Code Red range, however local conditions could be Code Purple throughout the day.

On a Code Red Air Quality Action Day, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis, are especially vulnerable to the effects of air pollution and should avoid outdoor activities, and everyone else should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion.

In Code Purple conditions, young children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems should avoid all physical activity outdoors. Everyone else should avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. 

Concentrations of smoke will likely be high throughout the day in western Pennsylvania and increasing throughout the day in eastern Pennsylvania. 

Smoke due to wildfires in eastern Canada will likely contribute to daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter in the Code Red range. Residents are encouraged to check www.airnow.gov for current conditions in their area.

Smoke from the wildfires is expected to impact Pennsylvania air quality throughout Thursday and Friday, with some possible relief on Saturday. DEP will continue to update the forecast. 

Conditions will likely be worse in the morning as a natural weather phenomenon called an atmospheric inversion will keep smoke filled air closer to the surface and prevent air from higher elevations to mix with air closer to the ground.

Fine particulate matter (or PM-2.5) comes in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals. Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks, or fires. Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides (called “precursors”), which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries, and automobiles.

Residents and businesses within the Air Quality Action Day areas are strongly encouraged to voluntarily help reduce fine particulate matter air pollution by: 

• Avoiding the open burning of leaves, trash, and other materials; and

• Avoiding the use of gas-powered lawn and garden equipment.

AIR QUALITY ALERT IS IN EFFECT FOR THURSDAY JUNE 29

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a
Code Red Air Quality Action Day for Fine Particulates, until
midnight EDT tonight.

An Air Quality Action Day means that air quality within the region
may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. For more information on
current and forecast concentrations of ground-level ozone and fine
particulates.