Extreme Heat to Roast Valley
Just in time to coincide with the official start of summer, a heat wave is forecast to broil the Lehigh Valley.
With highs expected to reach the upper 90s Monday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for the area. In effect from 8 a.m. Sunday to 8 p.m. Wednesday, the warning is for “dangerously hot conditions, with heat index values (of) up to 108 degrees.” The heat index is a measurement of how hot it feels, accounting for humidity.
According to the forecast, Sunday’s forecast high is 95 degrees, which will feel more like 102.
The NWS’s warning statement noted that overnight lows of 75 to 80 degrees “will not offer much relief from the heat” and encouraged residents to be aware of how this type of weather can increase susceptibility to heat-related illnesses, particularly among the elderly and the very young. St. Luke’s University Health Network shared last summer that high heat and humidity can also make it harder to breathe, meaning individuals with lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should be particularly careful.
Medical professionals and public safety officials alike are encouraging residents to utilize air conditioning and check on family members and friends who may be more vulnerable to the effects of the heat. Anyone spending time outside should drink plenty of fluids in order to stay hydrated and if possible avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day.
Other tips for staying safe and keeping cool during the heat wave include:
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing
• Keep shades and curtains drawn to help prevent rooms from heating up
• Wear sunscreen if spending any significant amount of time outside
• Never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles
Residents who lack air conditioning or lack shelter can dial 211 for assistance locating cooling centers that will be open.
If you’re looking for places to cool off, several popular public swimming pools will be open throughout the area during the heat wave, including the Hellertown Pool, which is open daily from noon to 7 p.m.; the Fountain Hill Pool, which is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.; and the Soleco Pool in Coopersburg, which is open daily from noon to 8 p.m.
Hellertown’s most famous attraction, Lost River Caverns, is another fun place to beat the heat. The year-round temperature in the cave hovers around 52 degrees, and visitors will also learn about the area’s history on a tour of the natural wonder.
Another popular summertime attraction for families is the pop jet fountain at Promenade Saucon Valley in Center Valley, however area residents should be aware that it is currently closed for repairs.
“Unfortunately, the necessary repairs have proven to be more extensive than initially anticipated, and the required parts are taking longer to arrive than expected,” center staff posted on the shopping center’s website. “While we would love to provide a definitive reopening date, there are still several factors beyond our control. Please rest assured that our team is working diligently to complete the repairs and restore the fountain as quickly and safely as possible.”
The extreme heat warning that takes effect Sunday includes Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties along with the rest of southeastern Pennsylvania and most of New Jersey, where even beach-goers are expected to roast in the coming days.
Although actual temperatures will be a bit cooler down the shore, towns like Wildwood–which are popular vacation destinations for many Lehigh Valley residents–are also under heat advisories for heat index values close to 100 degrees.
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