Philly Issues Code Red During Excessive Heat Warning

Heat indexes are expected to hover near 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday.

excessive heat warning

Photo by J. Smith for Visit Philadelphia

You’re probably going to want to stay inside (and in air conditioning) as much as possible throughout the next two days.

The city has issued a Code Red alert amid an excessive heat warning from the National Weather Service. It’s going to be dangerously hot and humid on Thursday and Friday. 

The excessive heat warning, which is issued for Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties and South Jersey, will begin at noon Thursday and last until 8 p.m. Friday. The heat index in Philadelphia is expected soar to about 100 degrees both days.

Actual temperatures will hover somewhere in the 90s. Thursday, with a predicted temperature of 97 degrees, will likely be hotter than Friday.

In accordance with Code Red heat alert, call 215-232-1984 to request outreach if you’re concerned about someone who’s homeless and appears in distress.

What makes heat waves like this one especially dangerous is that there’s little relief at night – lows are expected to dip into only the 70s. If you don’t have AC, you’ll want to come up with a plan for how to stay cool now.

Some ideas:

The National Weather Service has also issued a code orange air quality alert for the area, which means that air pollution concentrations in Philly may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, including the elderly, children and those with asthma, heart disease or lung disease. Be sure to check up on neighbors and relatives if they’re susceptible.

Otherwise, you know the drill – drink plenty of water and stay out of the heat and sun. And make sure your pets do the same.

Check out the city’s excessive heat plan here.

Follow @ClaireSasko on Twitter.