Pittsburgh Area To Be Gripped By Dangerous, Historic Heat Wave

PITTSBURGH, PA — A prolonged, potentially historic and dangerous heat wave is set to begin on Monday, bringing widespread heat index values of 100 degrees or above to Pittsburgh and all of Western Pennsylvania.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Watch for Pittsburgh from Monday morning through Friday evening. The watch is in effect for Western Pennsylvania, portions of Eastern Ohio and Northern West Virginia.

How hot will it get? According to the weather service the high temperatures are expected to be as follows:

• Monday: 96

• Tuesday: 99

• Wednesday: 100

• Thursday: 97

• Friday: 97

Do not expect even temporary relief from showers and thunderstorms. According to the weather service, the strong ridge of high pressure providing the hot temperatures also will keep rain chances at a minimum.

Heat-related illnesses are expected to increase significantly during this extreme heat and high humidity event. With that in mind, the city of Pittsburgh will activate cooling centers beginning Monday morning.

People are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room if possible, stay out of the sun and check up on relatives and neighbors.

The weather service advises not to leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, as car interiors will reach lethal temperatures in minutes.