Hot, muggy weather expected around the Delaware Valley today

With forecasters warning of soaring temperatures, the Philadelphia School District says it will be dismissing classes early on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday evening for much of southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and the western part of central New Jersey. Forecasters predict temperatures in the mid-90s on those two days and say high humidity is likely to make it feel closer to 100 degrees.

Philadelphia school officials say the district is taking the warning seriously by closing schools, including early childhood programs, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Regular transportation for students will occur at that time. All after-school sessions and programs will be canceled.