Heat Wave and Storms Forecast for South-Centralโ Pennsylvania Thisโฃ Weekend
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South-central pennsylvania residents โคshould prepare for โฃa โweekend of sweltering heat, high humidity, and โthe possibility of late-day thunderstorms.Temperatures โฃare expected to climb into theโ upper โค80sโข and near 90 โคdegrees today,โฃ with even hotter conditions โคanticipated on Sunday. Relief fromโฃ the oppressive heat and humidity is forecast to arriveโ midweek.
Current Conditions and Forecast
Morning clouds โคwill give wayโฃ toโ afternoon sunshine and patchy haze or fog. A stray thunderstormโ is absolutely โpossible during the afternoon, but most of the day should remain dry.The tropical airmass currently over the region willโ persist through tomorrow. highs will be above average, ranging from the upper 80s to near 90 degrees.
Sunday will continue the โฃhot and steamy trend, โwith a slightly increased chance โof showers and โthunderstorms developing โขlate in the day as a cold front approaches. Monday will bring aโ welcome change, with temperatures falling โto โคthe lower 80sโ and aโ noticeable drop in humidity, asโ dew points โฃdecrease from the 70s to the 60s.
Temperatures will continue to cool through Tuesday and Wednesday, settling in theโข upper 70s to around 80โ degrees. โ Rain chances will increase onโ both days as the cold front draws nearer. Wednesday appears โto be the โmostโ likely day for widespread wet weather before conditionsโ dry out on Thursday. Following the front’s passage, more refreshing temperatures and lower humidity are expected to round outโ the week, with highs in the low 80s.
Did You Know? โThe combination of high heat and humidity creates a dangerous heat index, which can make it feel considerably warmerโข than the actual air temperature.โ It’s crucialโค to stayโข hydrated and take โฃprecautions to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Hurricane โErin Update
Forecasters areโ closely monitoring โคHurricane Erin, a dangerous Category 4โข hurricane currentlyโข moving through the western Atlantic. โคAs ofโ this morning, Erin boasts โmaximum sustained winds of 145 mph, having rapidly intensified from a category 3 storm in just 20 minutes. The storm is โฃmoving west-northwest at 20 mph, and further strengthening is expected, possibly reaching Categoryโ 5โ status with winds up to 150 mph.
Whileโข Erin is not expected to directly impactโ the Susquehanna Valley, residents along the U.S. east Coast should be awareโ of potential rough โsurf and dangerous rip currents as the storm turns โnorthwardโฃ next week. The National hurricane Center โ(https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/) provides the latest updates and advisories.
Regional Temperature and Conditions
Current temperatures across the region include 78 degrees in Chambersburg, 75 โdegrees in Lebanon and Lancaster, 73 degrees in Lewistown, and 76 degrees in Selinsgrove. Dew points east of the mountains areโค very high, indicating the tropical โคairmass, while dew points are lower in theโข 60s toโค the north and west. The UV index will be high once the sun emerges, with a burnโข time ofโฃ approximately 25 minutes.
| Location | Temperature (ยฐF) | Dew Point (ยฐF) |
|---|---|---|
| Chambersburg | 78 | 72 |
| Lebanon | 75 | 74 |
| Lancaster | 75 | 74 |
| Lewistown | 73 | 68 |
| Selinsgrove | 76 | 70 |
Pro Tip: When working or exercising outdoors, โคschedule activities forโ the early morning or late โevening toโค avoid theโข peakโ heat of the day.Wear light-colored,โค lose-fitting clothing and take frequent breaks in theโข shade.
What stepsโ are you takingโค to stay cool and safe during thisโข heat wave?โข How do you prepare for potential thunderstorms in your area?
The high-pressure system over new Englandโฃ is contributing โขto the southeasterly wind โflow, maintaining โthe humid conditions. โฃA cold front arriving Sunday night will be the key to breaking the heat and humidity. Predictor models show โisolated stormsโข developing this afternoon, followed by quieter conditions tonight.โข Late-day storms are expected to return tomorrow as the cold front approaches.
Air quality is currently moderate due to โparticulates, but ozone levels โขareโข good.โค Pollen levels for ragweed โขand โขgrass are alsoโฃ moderate.
Long-Term Trends and Heat Waves
Heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense due โto climate change, according to the environmental โProtection Agency (https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heatwaves). These eventsโ pose significant risks to public health, โคnotably for vulnerable populations such as the โelderly โand those with chronic medical conditions. Understanding the risks and taking appropriateโ precautionsโ is crucial for staying safe during periods ofโ extreme heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the heat index? The heat index is a measure of how โฃhot itโ feels when humidity โขis combined with air temperature.
- How can I prevent heat exhaustion? โStay hydrated, wear loose-fitting clothing, and โtake frequent breaks in the shade โคor โขair conditioning.
- What should I do during a โขthunderstorm? โฃ Seekโ shelter indoors and avoid contact with water or metal objects.
- Is โฃHurricane Erin a threat to Pennsylvania? No,Hurricane Erin is not expected to directly impactโ Pennsylvania,but itโข may cause dangerous surf and rip โcurrents along the East Coast.
- when will โthe heat break in Pennsylvania? Relief from the heat is expected โฃto arrive โmidweek, with temperatures falling โขand humidity decreasing.
Have a great day, and stay safe!