Hazy, Hot & Humid!
By Geoff Bansen
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- *** A Heat Advisory is in effect for numerous counties in the Delaware Valley until 8 p.m. Wednesday ***
Wednesday will likely feature conditions that will feel the hottest day in 2014 thus far. We use the word 'feel' because although we may not rise above temperatures in past weeks, dew points in the mid 70s will make it feel downright oppressive outside. Expect heat indices to reach triple digits during the afternoon hours. Today would be a good day to spend time indoors, or at a beach or pool. If you need to be outdoors, stay out of direct sunlight, drink plenty of water, wear light colored clothes, and try to avoid strenuous activities. Remember, heat stroke can occur in just a few minutes under the right circumstances.
Also, keep an eye to the sky late this afternoon and into this evening. Showers and thunderstorms, some of which could be severe, will approach from the west and likely affect the commute home.
Looking ahead to the rest of the week, we expect the showers and storms to continue during the day on Thursday. A slow moving cold front that will continue to creep slowly eastward. Thursday night and into Friday morning, this front will interact with Tropical Storm Arthur, which we expect to become a category 1 hurricane over the next 24 hours. Luckily, it looks as if this system will stay well off the coast, only bringing us minimal impacts. That means some early morning showers on Friday for inland sections, followed by afternoon clearing. Coastal sections may have to deal with some extra showers, as well as elevated surf and dangerous rip currents. The firework forecast looks dry as of now, as does the weekend.
Lots of sunshine both Saturday and Sunday, and much more comfortable highs in the low to mid 80s.
Today In Weather History:
1932 -- The barometric pressure at Philadelphia fell to 29.37", the lowest pressure ever recorded in the month of July.