- Today will be even hotter than Tuesday
- Cold front relief is not expected until Friday
- Know the signs of heat stroke
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Heat advisories could be extended Wednesday due to a forecast that calls for the highest temperatures so far this week.
"More of the same today with another absolute scorcher in store...[heat and humidity] on Wednesday will be very similar to that of Tuesday, if not just a tick higher for both factors," according to meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey.
A cold front is expected to stall nearby late in the week, they said, and the chances of rain continue into the weekend as low pressure develops along the front.
Dew points in the 70s with very high temperatures mean not only will it be hot, but the weather will also continue to be muggy and humid, they said.
"If you didn't like yesterday, you're not going to like today."Meteorologist Bobby Martrich of EPAWA Weather Consulting
Temperatures in the 91 to 98 degree range will be the order of the day across much of the region, said meteorologist Bobby Martrich, owner of EPAWA Weather Consulting.
"I would not be surprised if somewhere [in Pa.] sees 100 degrees," Martrich said, leaving the heat index at or above 100 degrees throughout the area for the day.
Thursday brings a chance of showers around 11 p.m. that could bring gusty winds with it.
The cold front is not expected to pass through before Friday, Martrich said.
The late-summer heat wave already has had an impact on the Lehigh Valley. Allentown schools will dismiss early through the rest of the week.
Health officials say folks should know the signs of heat stroke which, according to Ready.gov, include:
- Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally
- Red, hot and dry skin with no sweat
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Dizziness, confusion or unconsciousness
Looking ahead, weather-wise, tropical storm Lee is expected to become a major hurricane by Saturday or Sunday, Martrich said.
The track of the storm is still uncertain, he said, and there is a lot of time before it could pose any problems.
