If you've stepped outside in Philly today, you probably already know that it's hot out there. Really hot.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for all of Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through Wednesday. And if you're thinking of getting out of town to cool off, don't bother—a heatwave is consuming most of the Northeast, including New England, as well as the Midwest, and over 100 million Americans are currently under a heat advisory.
With temperatures in the high 90s and the heat index expected at 108 degrees, the City of Philadelphia has also issued a Heat Health Emergency. This is the city's second Heat Health Emergency this summer.
“The Health Department declares a Heat Health Emergency when the temperature gets high enough that vulnerable people—especially our elderly neighbors and family members—are at an increased risk of getting sick or dying from the heat,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Frank Franklin. “The best way to protect our loved ones is to make sure they can get into air conditioning during the hottest part of the day. As always, we encourage Philadelphians to check on elderly friends and neighbors to make sure they’re safe and don’t need assistance.
During a heat health emergency, Philly tries to keep residents safe by opening over 150 public cooling centers across the city. Sites include Free Library locations, Parks & Recreation Centers, pools, spray grounds, Older Adult Centers and PHA Senior Sites, many of which will offer extended hours to accommodate the weather emergency. All cooling centers can be found on a map. The Philadelphia Water Department also pauses utility shutoffs during an emergency.
If the city reaches 100 degrees on Tuesday, as predicted, it will be the first 100-degree day in Philly since July 18, 2012. Heavy thunderstorms are predicted on Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday evening, which should offer some relief from the nonstop heat.