Philly area under Heat Advisory, with heat index values up to 103; Code Orange declared due to poor air quality

The Philadelphia region is grappling with another summer heat wave.

A Heat Advisory is in effect through 8 p.m. Friday, with heat index values between 98 and 103 degrees expected, according to the National Weather Service.

There will be “limited relief” from the heat overnight, the NWS said, amid muggy conditions and low temperatures in the mid-70s.

The Heat Advisory will be in effect for the following counties:

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses, the National Weather Service said.

Montgomery County declares Code Red Hot Weather Emergency

In Montgomery County, a Code Red Hot Weather Emergency will be in effect from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, per county commissioners.

A Code Red Hot Weather Emergency is declared when the temperature or heat index is expected to be at or above 100 degrees for two hours or more. Such conditions can be deadly and residents are urged to take precautions to prevent heat-related stress and illness.

Extreme heat cooling programs are available at more than 70 sites around the county. Residents can find a Montco cooling program near them online via the PA 211 website.

Residents in need of emergency shelter during a Code Red may call Community Connections at 610-278-3522.

Cooling centers open in Wilmington

In addition to city spray parks and swimming pools, Wilmington’s William “Hicks” Anderson Community Center will be open as a cooling center from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Residents may call 302-571-4266 for more information.

Philly, suburbs under Code Orange due to poor air quality

Pennsylvania officials on Wednesday declared a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Ozone for the Philly region on Thursday. That includes Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties.

The state Department of Environmental Protection cited mostly sunny skies, high temperatures in the mid- to upper-90s and light southwest winds as likely contributors to 8-hour average concentrations of ground-level ozone in the Code Orange range.

Ozone is formed from burning fossil fuels. Cars, trucks, power plants and industrial facilities contribute nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds which, when combined with sunlight, create smog, also known as ground-level ozone.

Under a Code Orange, air pollution concentrations may be unhealthy for vulnerable groups such as children, people with asthma, people with heart or lung disease and older adults.

Residents and businesses are also encouraged to reduce ozone air pollution by driving less, limiting engine idling and conserving electricity by setting air conditioning to a higher temperature and turning off lights not in use.

Residents are encouraged to visit AirNow.gov to check local conditions.

If you need a primer, here’s how to understand your air quality index.