Philly takes precautions as heat wave looms over area
With the National Weather Service calling for temperatures to reach a record-setting 100 degrees Tuesday, the Philadelphia School District has scheduled early dismissal for summer-school students and utilities will pay extra attention to the power grid.
Jim Poirier, a meteorologist at the weather service's office in Mount Holly, said the "significant heat wave" that began Sunday would result in temperatures being well over 90 degrees until at least Wednesday. The service has posted an excessive heat warning for the region.
Monday's high of 98 in Philadelphia fell short of the 100-degree record set in 1999. If the mercury reaches 100 Tuesday, it would eclipse that day's record of 98. NBC10 predicted the temperature would reach 101 Tuesday.
"This is fairly unusual, but it has happened before," Poirier said. "We're around 1999 levels."
The good news is that humidity levels have not been high. "It's more like a Western heat," he added.
The forecast prompted the Philadelphia School District to announce that the 58,000 students participating in the district's expanded summer school program, and others enrolled in summer activities in district schools, will be
Jim Poirier, a meteorologist at the weather service's office in Mount Holly, said the "significant heat wave" that began Sunday would result in temperatures being well over 90 degrees until at least Wednesday. The service has posted an excessive heat warning for the region.
Monday's high of 98 in Philadelphia fell short of the 100-degree record set in 1999. If the mercury reaches 100 Tuesday, it would eclipse that day's record of 98. NBC10 predicted the temperature would reach 101 Tuesday.
"This is fairly unusual, but it has happened before," Poirier said. "We're around 1999 levels."
The good news is that humidity levels have not been high. "It's more like a Western heat," he added.
The forecast prompted the Philadelphia School District to announce that the 58,000 students participating in the district's expanded summer school program, and others enrolled in summer activities in district schools, will be
Read more: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20100706_Philly_takes_precautions_as_heat_wave_looms_over_area.html#ixzz0szulGCvS
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