Record-Breaking Heat, 'Extreme' Pollen In Eastern PA Forecast

PENNSYLVANIA — Pennsylvania is in for potentially record-breaking temperatures and "extreme" levels of pollen this weekend, according to the forecasters.

Temperatures of up to 96 degrees are expected in parts of Eastern Pennsylvania on Saturday, along with a particularly bothersome weekend for those with seasonal allergies.

While the weekend's most extreme heat will likely come on Saturday, temperatures may linger into the 90s on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. The extreme heat could potentially break records in some areas, such as Philadelphia, which has an expected high of 96 degrees on Saturday.

The heatwave could last three to five days, the National Weather Service warned. The agency urges people to practice caution, as heat has been the nation's top cause of weather-related deaths in recent decades. Excessive heat has killed 139 Americans per year from 1990-2019, according to the agency.

Much of the state has high pollen levels, which could get "very high" for the next couple and reach "extreme" levels this weekend, according to AccuWeather. Wind can carry pollen for miles, so the amount of the allergen in the air can drastically vary in each community.

As a result, pollen levels could peak at different times throughout the state, AccuWeather says. For instance, Philadelphia shows "high" pollen levels Wednesday. But AccuWeather projects "very high" levels Thursday and Friday before hitting the "extreme" category Saturday.

Here is a look at the expected pollen levels, according to AccuWeather:

AccuWeather suggests the following for the higher end of its pollen scale:

• High: Keep your windows closed and change clothing after returning indoors.
• Very high: Avoid outdoor activity in the early hours of the day and take any allergy medication to ease your symptoms.
• Extreme: Ensure you take any allergy medication to ease your symptoms and avoid all outdoor activity.

Here are the National Weather Service's heatwave safety tips:

• Slow down. Strenuous activities should be reduced, eliminated or rescheduled to the coolest time of the day. People at risk should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer. Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight and helps your body maintain normal temperatures.
• Foods (such as proteins) that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don't feel thirsty.
• Don't drink alcohol.
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, spending some time each day (during hot weather) in an air-conditioned environment affords some protection.
• Never leave people, especially children, and pets in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Don't get too much sun. Sunburn makes the job of heat dissipation that much more difficult.

With reporting by Josh Bakan of Patch