Philadelphia Schools Dismissing Early for Excessive Heat

Philadelphia public school students will be dismissed early Friday in response to high temperatures predicted for the afternoon.

According to an alert on the school district’s website, all School District of Philadelphia schools will dismiss early at 12 noon.

A heat advisory and air quality alert has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday.

The advisory cautions that the heat index will reach between 90 and 95 degrees between noon and 8 p.m.

Ground level ozone levels may reach unhealthy standards. Children, asthma sufferers, residents with heart or lung diseases, and elderly people are susceptible to negative effects as a result, the NWS said. These residents should avoid strenuous activities and exercising outdoors.