Forecasters are expecting a lengthy period of heat and humidity through the remainder of the week in the Lehigh Valley.
The region is under a heat advisory from Tuesday morning until Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. After that, the Lehigh Valley is under an excessive heat watch through Sunday. It was initially only scheduled through Saturday, but forecasters extended the watch on Tuesday.
High temperatures are expected to be in the 90s through the weekend, making it the hottest stretch of days so far this year.
Under the heat advisory, heat index values of up to 97 are expected, according to forecasters. Under the excessive heat watch, heat index values of up to 104 are possible.
A prolonged period of heat and increasing humidity will continue to build this week and into this weekend.
Heat Advisories are now in effect for today and Wednesday.
The Excessive Heat Watch has been extended into Sunday.https://t.co/BVdKD6JKjt#NJwx #PAwx #DEwx #MDwx pic.twitter.com/GUisOW79tM
— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 18, 2024
Friday is expected to be the warmest of the next few days, but forecasters noted that the weekend will feel much warmer than it actually will be.
The weather service recommends people stay hydrated, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives or neighbors.
Allentown has issued a city wide heat advisory. City pools will be free for residents and season pass holders from noon to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The city fire department will be operating cooling stations from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The stations are at the following locations:
- Roosevelt Park, 271 Camp St.
- Jordan Park, 1001 N. 6th St.
- Fountain Park, 961-967 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
The city also recommends residents visit the following air-conditioned buildings during the week:
- Allentown Public Library, 1210 Hamilton St., from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Cumberland Gardens Community Room, 501 E. Cumberland St., from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
- Lehigh Valley Active Life, 1633 Elm St., from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- PPL Center Lobby, 701 Hamilton St., from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
Showers and thunderstorms are also possible over the weekend. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
