First Alert Weather

Here's How to Stay Safe Amid Brutal Heat

It will feel like 100 or above on multiple days as heat and humidity continue with a minor reprieve on Tuesday

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What to Know

  • Intense heat continues to batter the area as the workweek begins.
  • A First Alert is in effect through Tuesday as temps feel like the triple digits.
  • Relief from the heat isn't really likely until later in the week.

Temperatures will feel like the triple digits by Sunday as an intense heat wave is gripping the region with dangerous conditions.

NBC10 issued a First Alert beginning Saturday through at least Tuesday for all Philadelphia region neighborhoods except for the Jersey Shore and Delaware beaches. Expect dangerous heat and poor air quality.

Temps could feel up to 106 degrees or warmer during the First Alert.

High temperatures on Sunday are expected in the mid to upper 90s with humidity making it feel above 100 degrees Sunday and up to around 106 degrees (or hotter) on Monday.

The heat will be especially intense in Philadelphia and other urban areas like Trenton and Wilmington where, with temps not really dropping out of the 80s overnight, the urban heat island effect (where concrete, asphalt and buildings remain hotter) can be really rough on the body.

Be sure to stay inside a safe place in air conditioning and open windows and use fans if you don't have A/C in your home. If you're using a fan, the EPA warns that windows or a door should be open to the outside; otherwise, you're just recirculating hot air, which is more dangerous.

You should watch for signs of heat-related illness, which include headaches, nausea, dizziness and excessive sweating.

Stay hydrated, too. During a heat health emergency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you drink water even when you're not thirsty.

Don't forget to check in on the vulnerable, including kids and the elderly. The city's heat health emergency kicks in Monday, meaning the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging will activate its helpline, which is staffed by health care professionals and can deploy a relief team to go check on an individual. The line's number is 215-765-9040.

With the coronavirus pandemic, people who do seek relief at pools, beaches or other public places are encouraged to practice social distancing and could be required to wear masks when not in the water.

A look at temperature differences between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore
NBC10
A look at temperature differences between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.

The intense heat comes after high temps on Friday are expected to be around 90 with rising humidity with a chance for hit-or-miss storms that could bring heavy downpours throughout the day. By Saturday morning you will be waking up to temps in the 80s.

With all of the humidity, don’t expect a lot of relief Tuesday. A degree or two won’t make a difference with how it feels. Still will be miserable heat feeling over 100 degrees.

Any relief would be from isolated strong to severe storms, but not everywhere gets one. Real relief looks like late next week.

Any crowds that gather on the beaches to beat the heat this weekend must wear masks and practice social distancing. NBC10's Cydney Long reports.

The First Alert Weather Team will continue to update you on the heat and provide tips for staying cool and safe on NBC10 News and in the NBC10 app.

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