Crank up the AC and try to avoid being outdoors for too long on Wednesday. Oppressive heat and humidity made temperatures feel like more than 100 degrees while poor air quality put vulnerable groups at risk throughout the Philadelphia region.
Here’s what you need to know.
Excessive Heat Warning
An Excessive Heat Warning was in effect in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs while a Heat Advisory was in effect for parts of Delaware and South Jersey until 8 p.m. Wednesday.
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Temperatures reached the 90s by the afternoon while the humidity made it feel like more than 100 degrees.
Residents were advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors.
Parents and guardians should never leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles due to car interiors being able to reach lethal temperatures in only a matter of minutes on hot days like Wednesday.
Cooling centers were open throughout Philadelphia. You can find a full list of the centers here.
Hundreds of Philadelphia School District students got an early dismissal for a second day in a row because of the hot weather. More than 60 schools in the city do not have adequate air conditioning.
Some of those children ended up at one of the dozen public city pools that are still open.
"When I got out of school I went to go change and then I came here and started playing with my cousins," George Sharswood School student Armani Chambers told NBC10.
Air Quality Alert
An Air Quality Alert was in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday for Philadelphia, the surrounding suburbs and South Jersey, according to the National Weather Service.
Under an Air Quality Alert, Ground Level Ozone concentrations within the region could approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Officials issued a Code Orange for the air quality, meaning the air could be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with respiratory and heart problems, older adults and children.
People were advised to stay inside if possible.
Storms moving in
Showers and thunderstorms were expected to move into the region by the late afternoon and early evening with rain expected in Berks and Lehigh counties around 4 p.m. and in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs around 6 p.m.
Relief coming in the next few days
Temperatures will drop significantly over the next few days heading into Labor Day Weekend.
Thursday – High of 79, partly cloudy and sunny
Friday – High of 77, mix of sunshine and clouds
Saturday – High of 85, mostly cloudy with a chance for rain
Sunday – High of 84, mostly cloudy and lingering rain
Monday – High of 78, mostly sunny
Follow the NBC10 First Alert Weather team and download the NBC10 app for the latest weather updates.
