Philadelphia heat wave: ‘Real feel’ temps up to 111 degrees on Friday. Here’s what to know

The National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for all of southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and much of New Jersey through 8 p.m. Saturday.

With warm “low” temperatures in the mid-70s to low 80s at night, residents won’t get much relief from the heat. “Multiple days of near record-breaking temperatures will exacerbate the impacts from the heat and humidity,” the NWS reports.

Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, the NWS says. Here’s what to know about extreme heat risks, plus how to protect yourself and loved ones.

A Code Red will remain in effect in Philadelphia until 8 p.m. Sunday due to the extreme heat.

Under a Code Red, the Office of Homeless Services opens all available beds within the city’s emergency housing network and implements 24-hour outreach to transport people experiencing homelessness to safe indoor spaces.

With heat index values up to 115 degrees, Philadelphia will remain under a Heat Health Emergency until 8 p.m. on Sunday. The emergency may be extended if the forecast worsens, Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson announced.

An HHE declaration kicks off the city’s response to extreme heat, including extended hours at some libraries acting as cooling centers.

More than 50 cooling centers will be operational during the emergency:

A Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Ozone is in effect for the Philly region through Friday. That includes Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties. The declaration also applies to Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties.

The state Department of Environmental Protection cited plenty of sunshine and temperatures between 100 and 103 degrees as contributors to 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.

The heat wave comes as Philadelphia marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Heat-related changes to semiquincentennial events include the following:

• Fairmount Water Works concert: “The Jazz Age: American Songs at their Centennial” scheduled for Wednesday was rescheduled for July 15.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do
  • Pomp & Parade: The Thursday parade in Old City, scheduled to start at 11 a.m., followed a shorter route than originally planned
  • All-American Block Party: This event was canceled
  • Red, White & Rosé  Picnic: This event’s start time was pushed to 6 p.m.
  • Salute to Service: This event was canceled.
  • Independence Illumination Drone Show: This event’s start time was pushed to 10 p.m.
• Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade: This event was canceled.
• Liberty Medal ceremony: The Friday ceremony honoring Pope Leo took place indoors.
• Pops on Independence with Idina Menzel: The Friday concert has pushed its start time to 8 p.m.

Outside of event changes, the city plans to increase water and ice deliveries to its hydration stations at Philly250 Hospitality Hubs in Lemon Hill, Logan Square, Eakins Oval and LOVE Park.

Misting stations will also be in place for the Fourth of July concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway at 22nd Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway (north and south sides, as well as Spring Garden Street and Eakins Oval (T-ball field).

Visitors in need of medical assistance on the parkway can find medical tents at the following locations:

• Spring Garden Street and Pennsylvania Avenue – Von Colln Field
• Eakins Oval Southwest Side
• 22nd Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway
• 20th Street and the Ben Franklin Parkway

Residents and visitors may text “AMERICA” to 888-777 to receive free Fourth of July event alerts from the city’s Office of Emergency Management.

An NPR analysis found that more than one-third of the tournament’s matches, including those in Philadelphia, are at high risk of dangerous heat and humidity.

In an email to NPR, a FIFA spokesperson said that the organization has added one extra water break per half for players and referees and installed air conditioning on the sidelines for those on the benches.

FIFA did not respond to questions from NPR about whether it will implement additional heat-related protections, such as extra shade, misting systems, cooling buses or free cold water.

In Lemon Hill, FIFA’s Fan Festival is shifting its hours due to the weather. Saturday’s watch party will end once the 1 p.m. match is wrapped up.

The Fan Festival will have cooling and misting tents, water refill stations and shaded areas, per the city.

Philly medical teams are also preparing for cases of heat illness as temperatures soar across the region.