Triple-Digit Heat, Thunderstorms In PA Forecast This Week

PENNSYLVANIA -High heat and humidity are in the forecast for eastern PA this week after a temperate weekend, with triple-digit temperatures and stormy weather as the week progresses.

Monday and Tuesday are expected to see temperatures in the high-80s and scattered storms, the National Weather Service said, with sun on Wednesday. Thursday is set to see temperatures break into the 90s. Friday could be the hottest day of the week and possibly the hottest of the year, with temperatures approaching 100 degrees, the weather service said.

“Although tweaks to the forecast are likely, a few spots may come close to setting records,” the National Weather Service Mount Holly station said in a statement, adding that July 28 heat records for cities like Philadelphia and Reading may potentially be beaten this year with temperatures pushing 100 degrees.

Severe showers and thunderstorms are possible in the central and eastern portions of the Keystone State on Monday evening with gusty winds and hail possible, the NWS said. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely across the state.

“Another round or two of showers and strong to severe thunderstorms containing locally heavy rain and gusty winds will occur Tuesday afternoon and early Tuesday evening," the NWS added.

The max heat index, which is what the temperature feels like to the human body, is set to reach around 103 near Allentown and Reading and 104 degrees near Philadelphia on Friday, according to a forecast map posted by the National Weather Service.

Heat relief may temporarily come in the form of the scattered showers and storms expected Monday afternoon and Tuesday. A chance of thunderstorms will return Friday, the weather service said.

In fact, frequent wet weather in Pennsylvania this summer has helped to cap daytime temperatures this season and limit the number of days when temperatures hit record averages, Accuweather said. After Tuesday, many parts of the northeast will finally get a break from rounds of thunderstorms, flooding and heavy rain, the outlet said.

The third week of July is typically the warmest week of the year, the National Weather Service said, with average temperatures set to slowly decrease for the next few weeks until a steep September drop-off.

Any extreme heat after this week is likely to be short-lived, Accuweather said, as current weather data suggests cooler air will come to the Northeast by the beginning of August.

Here’s the latest forecast around Pennsylvania, per the National Weather Service:

Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 5 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a
low around 70. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest after midnight.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 73.