After scorching Midwest, heat wave pushes east
Having already scorched some areas of the Midwest and South yesterday, the extreme heat wave has now extended to the eastern part of the country today.
In Philadelphia, public schools are closing their summer programs early because of oppressively hot temperatures. The School District of Philadelphia is sending students home early Tuesday because of safety concerns prompted by temperatures expected to crest in the mid-90s with high humidity. A heat advisory in the region is in effect through tonight.
For Washington and Baltimore, meteorologists say temperatures today will be in the mid 90s with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. The heat advisory there is expected to last from noon to 8 p.m.
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Temperatures could reach a high of 95 degrees with a heat index approaching 100 in New York City, CBSNewYork reported. With the high heat and humidity comes a chance of a storm. "Any individual storm could be strong," said John Elliott, meteorologist for CBS 2. " I don't think we'll see very many of them. It's basically just a hot day with hazy sun,"
In New Jersey, Tuesday is another muggy, summer day as midday temperatures are in the mid to upper 80s. Forecasters say the humidity will make it feel like 105 degrees in spots. The Environmental Protection Department has issued a code orange air quality alert Morris and Somerset counties. That means pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for children and those who suffer from respiratory or heart ailments.
And in Alabama, the National Weather Service says the combination of scorching temperatures and high humidity will make it feel like it's more than 110 degrees in parts of the state today. The agency has issued an excessive heat warning for areas in the Tennessee Valley including Huntsville and Florence. A heat advisory is out for central and south Alabama, where forecasters say the heat index will reach nearly 110 degrees.
Heat advisories and excessive-heat warnings were issued yesterday for 17 states in the Midwest and South. Dallas and Oklahoma City had endured 100-degree heat for at least 10 days in a row.
Folks are encouraged to drink plenty of water and to stay inside during the hottest times of the day.