Philadelphia rolled into Friday under a sticky, mostly cloudy sky, with morning temperatures in the mid-70s and humidity already feeling like a wet blanket. Forecasters are calling for a dangerously hot afternoon, with highs near 96°F and heat-index readings around 100 to 103°F, followed by a chance of scattered storms late this afternoon into the evening. A Heat Advisory is in place through 8 p.m. on Friday, June 12, and city crews have opened cooling centers and ramped up outreach to residents most at risk.
Afternoon Heat And Storms
Skies will turn mostly sunny by midday, which will help push temperatures into the mid-90s. Westerly winds around 5 to 10 mph will offer little relief, and the most oppressive heat is expected from about 1 to 5 p.m. Showers and thunderstorms could start to pop after 2 p.m., with the highest chances later in the afternoon and early evening. Any storm that develops may bring a quick burst of heavy rain and damaging wind gusts. The National Weather Service has issued the Heat Advisory for Philadelphia County and nearby areas and warns that heat-index values could climb past 100 degrees this afternoon.
City Response And Cooling Options
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health declared a Heat Health Emergency on Thursday, June 11, which triggered the opening of cooling centers, activation of the PCA Heatline, and stepped-up outreach to people experiencing homelessness. According to the City of Philadelphia, cooling-center locations and hours are listed online, and residents can call 311 or the PCA Heatline at 215-765-9040 for help. The city has paused water shutoffs for the duration of the emergency and is opening public pools on a rolling schedule to provide safe, air-conditioned spots to cool down. If someone shows signs of heat illness such as fainting, confusion, or a rapid pulse, move them to a cool place and seek medical attention right away.
Tonight And The Weekend
A cold front is expected to slide through Friday night, easing humidity for the weekend even though Saturday’s high will still reach close to 90°F. Dewpoints are forecast to drop into the 50s in some neighborhoods on Saturday, which should make it feel noticeably more comfortable despite the warm air. Showers and thunderstorms are likely again from Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, and higher-than-normal tides this weekend could bring minor coastal flooding along the Delaware Bay and Atlantic shore, with impacts possible on low-lying waterfront streets. Try to schedule outdoor activities for Saturday morning or plan to move them indoors if necessary, since storms can develop quickly and pack gusty winds.
What To Do Now
Stay hydrated with plenty of water, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest hours of the day, and use air conditioning at home or head to a cooling center if you do not have it. Check in on older neighbors and people with medical conditions, and call 311 or the PCA Heatline for help locating a place to cool off. Keep an eye on the sky this afternoon, and if you can see lightning, get indoors immediately. Have a backup plan for any outdoor events, and in an emergency call 911.
