Jul 31, 2024 - Climate
Philadelphia begins August with another heat wave
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The next heat wave is bringing temperatures into the 90s in the Philadelphia region Wednesday.
Why it matters: Fall can't come soon enough.
Driving the news: The region is slated to see temps linger in the low- to mid-90s through at least Monday, per NOAA.
- The agency warns that heat indices could climb to near or more than 100 starting Thursday.
Threat level: Temps will reach even higher in certain hotspots in Philly.
- That's because more than half of Philadelphians live in "heat islands" — or areas with more asphalt "trap" heat, causing higher temps compared to surrounding areas, per Climate Central.
The big picture: Philly's seen several long heat waves this summer.
- Earlier this month, temps were 90 or above for seven straight days (July 4-10), NOAA meteorologist Alex Staarmann tells Axios.
- We also logged a six-day heat wave between June 18-23.
What we're watching: Philly proper is on track for its third warmest summer since 1874, Staarmann says. Temps have averaged 79.2 a day since June 1.
- 2010 was the warmest summer on record with an average temp of 79.6.
Yes, but: Temps could cool off later in August.
- Temps have up to a 50% chance of being above normal for the entire month, which Staarmann notes is not a strong probability.