July 12, 2017
The National Weather Service's Philadelphia/Mount Holly office has issued an excessive heat warning for the region Thursday as temperatures are expected to crawl up to a staggering 97 degrees.
Wednesday's rain won't seem to do much to cool down the area. The high should reach 93 degrees with isolated showers and thunderstorms expected to roll in after 3 p.m. before clearing up around 9 p.m., when temperatures will begin to drop to 76 degrees.
An excessive heat warning is now in effect for the Philadelphia urban corridor on Thursday. #pawx #dewx #mdwx #njwx pic.twitter.com/7Sk4GIBByX
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) July 12, 2017
While Thursday will be hot, it'll feel even hotter with an expected heat value index of 103 degrees. The NWS' excessive heat warning will last up until Thursday night, when temperatures should drop to 75 degrees and a chance of storms and showers could bring between a quarter and an inch of rain.
Friday will be ever so slightly cooler with a high of 87 degrees expected for Philly and South Jersey, before more rain should drop temperatures to 71 degrees at night.
The city is implementing "special measures" to ensure the safety of residents between now and midnight Friday.
The "extremely hot conditions" will be dangerous for seniors, pregnant women and children, who are most susceptible to heat-related illnesses like dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, city officials warn.
The city is recommending residents drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, wear sunscreen as well as lightweight clothing and protective headwear, use curtains and drapes to block out unnecessary light and try to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
A list of pools and spray grounds can be found here, while a guide to "cooling centers," or air-conditioned community and senior centers, can be found here.
