Philadelphia Heat Advisory, Highs Near 95, Storm Risk

Philadelphia rolled out of bed Thursday, June 11, into patchy fog, soupy humidity and early morning temperatures already in the low 70s at many stations. A Heat Advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Thursday through 8 p.m. Friday as highs climb into the mid 90s and the humidity makes it feel even hotter. Late day showers and thunderstorms are possible both this evening and again Friday, and some of those storms could pack damaging wind.

Afternoon Heat Peaks

High temperatures are expected to reach about 95°F inland Thursday, with west winds around 5 to 10 mph and not much relief near the river. Heat index values, what it actually feels like on your skin, could top 100°F in many neighborhoods. According to the National Weather Service, heat index values may reach as high as 104 degrees across parts of the metro this afternoon and again on Friday.

Late Day Storm Risk

The patchy morning fog should lift, but the bigger story will be scattered storms that can fire up in the late afternoon into evening, roughly after 5 p.m. Forecasters say the primary severe threat is damaging wind if storms organize into a line, although large hail cannot be ruled out. Anyone with evening plans should keep an eye on the sky and be ready for brief heavy downpours that can slash visibility and slow commutes.

City Activates Heat Response

The City of Philadelphia has declared a Heat Health Emergency beginning 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, through 8 p.m. on Friday, June 12. That triggers cooling centers, the PCA Heatline, expanded outreach to people experiencing homelessness, and a pause on water shutoffs during the emergency. The PCA Heatline at (215) 765-9040 will be staffed, and Parks & Recreation begins opening outdoor pools on a rolling basis starting Friday. According to the City of Philadelphia, cooling center locations and hours are posted online and can also be found by calling 311.

How To Stay Safe

Try to avoid strenuous outdoor activity between late morning and early evening, drink plenty of water and shift errands or workouts to the cooler parts of the day. Never leave children or pets in parked cars, even for a short time. If you do not have air conditioning, you are urged to visit a library, rec center or other designated cooling site, and you can call 311 or the PCA Heatline for locations. More details are available from the City of Philadelphia.

Quick Forecast

Thursday features patchy morning fog, then mostly sunny skies with highs near 95°F and west winds of 5 to 10 mph, with scattered storms most likely after about 5 p.m. Friday looks even hotter, with a high near 96°F and showers and thunderstorms more likely in the late afternoon and evening. The weekend trends drier, with Saturday near 90°F and noticeably lower humidity, then another chance for afternoon storms Sunday as temperatures climb back into the low 90s. Check the National Weather Service for the hour by hour outlook and any updates.