Schools
Heat Wave Forces Westfield High School To Move Graduation
The predicted heat index of 97-98 degrees on Thursday prompted school officials to move the ceremony to Friday morning.
WESTFIELD, NJ — A continued heat wave and high temperatures at Kehler Stadium have prompted Westfield school officials to move the high school graduation to Friday morning.
"This is not a decision that I make lightly and I am sorry for the impact it may have on family travel and celebrations. However, with the predicted heat index of 97-98 degrees on Thursday afternoon/evening, we believe that it will be a safer situation on Friday morning with significantly lower real feel temperatures. Although it will not be as hot on Friday, it will still be warm and we remind students to stay hydrated and wear light clothing under their gowns," said Westfield High School Principal Mary Asfendis.
The graduates will be held on June 21 beginning at 9:30 a.m. Graduates will report to the stadium at 9 a.m. to line up. The live feed will be posted on the website as well.
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The National Weather Service(NWS) issued a Heat Advisory through Friday night and an air quality alert through Thursday night.
Take a look at the upcoming forecast:
Find out what's happening in Westfieldfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Southwest wind around 6 mph.
Friday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 99. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73. Southwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Saturday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 3 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Sunday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 98.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.
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