Heat Index Could Soar to 100 Today, Thursday

A major warm-up is expected just in time for the start of summer, as temperatures will climb into the 90s Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

The forecast for today - the first official day of summer - is sunny with a possible heat index - that's heat plus humidity - of 100.

The weather service has declared a heat advisory between the hours of 1 and 7 p.m. today. The likelihood of heat illnesses is high during these hours. Drink lots of fluids, stay out of the sun, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening hours, if possible, and keep cool in air conditioning.

Today has also been declared an air quality action day by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Air Quality Partnership of the Lehigh Valley/Berks Area.

That means that the conditions will be ripe for the formation of unusually high amounts of ground level ozone, which could make breathing difficult for sensitive people including the elderly, people with lung and heart disease, asthmatics and the very young.

Conditions are expected to be similar on Thursday – sunny, hot and humid with a high near 97. The heat advisory has been issued from 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursday as well.

If you are considering a refreshing dip in a swimming pool, Bethlehem’s municipal pools open at 12:30 p.m. daily. Memorial Pool at stays open until 7 p.m., while the neighborhood pools at , , Yosko Park and Stark and Westside pools close at 5 p.m.

The outdoor swimming pool at the Bethlehem Township Community Center is open from noon to 8 p.m. The indoor swimming pool is open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.