WEATHER: Toasty Midweek Ahead This Week

It’s going to be hot midweek – really hot.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the portions of the Delaware valley including in Bucks and Montgomery counties. The watch is in effect from Wednesday afternoon through late Thursday night.

How hot will it be?

According to the weather service, heat index values may peak in the mid to upper 90s on Wednesday and near 100 on Thursday. Nighttime heat indices may only fall into the upper 70s both nights.

An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of hot temperatures is possible. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity may combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are possible.

What should you do?

Under such conditions, it is wise to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. The very old, very young and infirm are most susceptible to the heat.

Also, take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency - call 911.

What about your pets?

Make sure your pets have plenty of cool water and are kept in a cool, well-ventilated area. The most humane thing to do is to bring them indoors with you.

Finally, never leave any person or animal in a vehicle for any length of time.

Here's the local forecast:

Tuesday Afternoon: Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. South wind around 6 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind between 3 and 8 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind between 3 and 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 76. West wind around 6 mph becoming calm.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind between 5 and 8 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 30%.