The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Philadelphia region from noon Wednesday to 6 p.m. Thursday.
Heat index values are expected to reach up to 100 degrees Wednesday and Thursday afternoon, with the humidity especially high on Thursday. The warning is in effect for New Castle, Mercer, Gloucester, Camden, Burlington, Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery and Lower Bucks counties.
Temperatures are only expected to drop into the upper 70s in urban areas during the evening.
The Camden County Health Officer issued a heat alert for Camden County effective from noon until 7 p.m. Wednesday, and again from noon until 7 p.m. on Thursday.
“Each town in Camden County has identified and is responsible for activating its own municipal cooling center," said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services. "Please call your municipality for the location of the closest cooling center.”
The Camden County Freeholder Board is distributing free fans to residents age 60 and older with an income of $25,000 or less. To request a fan or to obtain more information, please call the Camden County Division of Senior Services at (856) 858-3220.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange air quality alert for Mercer and Burlington counties Wednesday.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are likely to remain in the 90s for the rest of the week, however, it is expected to be less humid on Friday.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph.
Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. West wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 6 to 8 mph.