Strongest Heat Wave Of The Year To Hit Philly Region: Forecasters

EASTERN PA — A serious heat wave is on its way to the greater Philadelphia area, bringing a surge in temperatures to the area to the upper 90s. It is forecasted to be the strongest heat wave in the region in nearly a year.

The first hints of the heat to come likely hit Thursday, with a forecasted high of 89, the National Weather Service said. There's a possibility of thunderstorms and rain on Friday and Friday night, but it won't be enough to stop the high from reaching around 93, according to forecasters. High humidity from the rain front will likely make the heat index significant.

"As a front approaches from the Great Lakes later this week, a southwesterly breeze will help push temperatures upward on Thursday, with a spike of very warm to hot air in store along much of the Atlantic coast on Friday," Accuweather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said.

The weekend will see a slight cool down, before soaring to the upper 90s next week. According to the long range forecast from Accuweather, the high will he 96 next Tuesday, 98 next Wednesday, 97 next Thursday, and 93 next Friday.

The last heat wave in Philadelphia with a high in the 90s for three days or more was last Sept. 3 to 9, Accuweather said.

The heat index will pose a serious health risk.

"At this level, when combined with intense mid-June sunshine, (real feel) will surge to dangerous levels, especially in the urban areas of many of the major cities," Accuweather adds.

Health officials have the following advice for residents to weather the weather:

Here's the full forecast for the coming days, according to the National Weather Service:

Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 89. Light southwest wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind around 10 mph.

Friday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Friday night
A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 84.

Saturday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 61.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 87.

Sunday night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Monday
Sunny, with a high near 93.

Monday night
Mostly clear, with a low around 71.

Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 96