Anyone who plans to spend a significant amount of time outside this weekend will need to stay hydrated.
If you thought Tuesday was a hot day in Hellertown, local weather forecasters want you to know that “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.”
Tuesday’s high in the low 90s will be mild in comparison to the heat wave that’s predicted to affect eastern Pennsylvania and other northeastern states this weekend, when meteorologists are warning that the mercury could soar well into the upper 90s.
On Friday and Saturday the heat index–which measures how hot the air actually feels based on the combination of relative humidity and temperature–could reach 110 degrees, the National Weather Service said in a hazardous weather statement Tuesday afternoon.
In a post on the weather website PA Weather Action Tuesday night, lead forecaster Josh Adams called the heat wave that will affect Pennsylvania “dangerous.”
“Locations from the Philadelphia area up into the Lehigh Valley and over to the Lower Susquehanna Valley will see maximum values of 110-115 Fahrenheit during this heat wave,” Adams said. “Saturday will be the hottest day in southeast PA, with Friday and Saturday equally as hot in south central PA. Heat index values will slowly decrease farther north and/or in places of higher elevation.”
According to the latest NWS forecast for Hellertown, Friday’s high temperature will be 94, Saturday’s high will be 98 and Sunday’s high will be 95, with temperatures dropping back into the relatively cooler upper 80s by Monday.
For those seeking relief from the heat, the Hellertown Pool is open daily from noon to 7 p.m.
The National Weather Service hasn’t issued any heat-related advisories for this weekend, but residents should plan to drink plenty of water if they will be outside in the heat for an extended period of time. Pets should also be provided water and shade if they are out, and individuals with chronic health problems should remain in an air-conditioned space.
Before the heat wave descends on the Lehigh Valley, weather forecasters are also warning that flooding rains could cause problems locally on Wednesday night and Thursday.
In the same hazardous weather outlook, the National Weather Service said the remnants of Hurricane Barry could bring heavy rain to the area along with thunderstorms.