Philadelphia rolled out of bed into a wall of humidity Wednesday, with temperatures already in the low 70s and climbing fast. A Heat Advisory remains posted through 8 p.m. as highs surge into the mid-90s this afternoon. Factor in the humidity and it will feel closer to 100 in many inland neighborhoods, making the hottest stretch of the day feel a lot worse than the number on the thermometer. Sunshine early will give way to building clouds and then a growing chance of showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon into the evening, which should put an end to this brief early-season heat wave.
Afternoon Storms Likely
The Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service stays in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday, with forecasters tracking showers and thunderstorms that are expected to fire up mainly between about 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Coverage is expected to increase into the evening commute, and the chance of storms sits at roughly 60 percent. Any stronger storms could kick up wind gusts to around 25 mph and drop localized heavy rainfall, from a few tenths of an inch to as much as 0.5 to 0.75 inches. Forecasters expect the storms to taper off late Wednesday night.
Heat Advisory Precautions
City officials are urging residents to take the heat seriously by avoiding strenuous outdoor activity during the peak afternoon hours, drinking plenty of fluids, and checking in on neighbors. Older adults and infants are especially vulnerable in these conditions. Residents can call the PCA Heatline at 215-765-9040 or dial 311 to locate a cooling center, and should follow local updates if they have outdoor work or events planned. More hot-weather guidance is available from the City of Philadelphia.
Cooler And Showery End To The Week
A strong cold front is expected to slide through late Wednesday, knocking daytime highs down into the upper 60s for Thursday and ushering in several rounds of showers into the holiday weekend. That front may stall, which could mean additional rain on Friday and Saturday and some soggy outdoor plans, before a milder Memorial Day that carries only a chance of showers. Forecasters recommend keeping an eye on the latest updates and staying flexible with plans over the next few days.
