Hottest Day Of The Year As Temps Peak In PA Wednesday, Forecasters Say

PENNSYLVANIA - The post-Labor Day heat in Pennsylvania is slated to crescendo Wednesday with “feels-like” temperatures in the triple digits, causing some school districts to schedule early dismissals. A heat advisory is in effect for several counties, forecasters said.

Heat indices are set to reach over 100 degrees in areas like Philadelphia, Reading and Allentown, according to the National Weather Service Mount Holly station.

As of 9 a.m., there are over a dozen Pennsylvania counties under a heat advisory. Heat index values as high as 103 degrees are possible through 8 p.m. Wednesday in Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery and Bucks; temperatures near 101 degrees are expected in Franklin, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Cumberland, Adams, York, Lancaster, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties through 7 p.m., forecasters said.

“Simply put, the next several days will be dangerously hot,” the National Weather Service said. “During a heat wave, practice heat safety wherever you are. Heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable!”

A total of 70 Philadelphia schools without proper air conditioning were dismissed early Tuesday due to the extreme heat and are expected to do the same Wednesday, according to a statement from district officials.

The Upper Darby School District will also be dismissing early from Tuesday to Thursday per NBC10; students in the Hatboro-Horsham and Central Bucks school districts will also be dismissed early Wednesday due to the heat.

The Central Bucks School District will also dismiss school early on Thursday, the district said.

“We are aware of the impact of the warm temperatures in several of our elementary schools, as well as Lenape Middle School. In consultation with our facilities staff, and in an abundance of caution, we will be implementing early dismissals on Sept. 6th and 7th in the following schools without air conditioning," the school district announced on Tuesday.

Pennsylvanians are recommended to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and vulnerable neighbors, the National Weather Service said. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances, the weather service said.

Temperatures are expected to dip slightly on Thursday with a high near 92 degrees, though the hot weather streak won’t see a major shift until Friday, when there is a chance of thunderstorms and highs at around 85 degrees.

Here’s the latest statewide forecast, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 100. Northwest wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 94. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Increasing clouds, with a low around 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8 p.m., then a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.