Friday Will Be Scorcher, Forecasters Say

If you’ve been waiting all week for the perfect pool day, Friday may be it. Forecasters say temperatures in the Lehigh Valley will reach the mid 90s under sunny skies.

In fact, Friday is expected to be so hot and humid that the National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory that includes Northampton, Lehigh and upper Bucks counties for 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., when it could feel as hot as 105 outside.

Temperatures are forecast to fall back to the mid to upper 80s over the weekend, before returning to the 90s Monday, with another heat wave possible early next week.

According to National Weather Service records, since June 1, the official high temperature as measured at Lehigh Valley International Airport near Allentown has been 90 or higher on eight separate days. The hottest day of the year so far was June 24, when the high was 98 degrees. So far this month, the hottest it has been was on July 8, when the mercury reached 91.

Public health and safety officials say anyone spending time outdoors Friday should stay hydrated, take breaks in the shade or in air conditioning, consider wearing light, loose-fitting clothing and take precautions to avoid being overcome by the heat and humidity.