00:00Record challenging heat that's stretching from the plains to the northeast.
00:04I'm still laughing. Not a laughing matter though about the triple digit heat that peaks today along the I-95 from D.C. to New York City with little relief again coming tonight.
00:13The front will lower temperatures in New England Wednesday but it does stall over Pennsylvania bringing the return of some storms but also still plenty of heat and steam.
00:20Now Cooler Air will reach the Great Lakes states but boy from St. Louis to Indy the heat continues. Again we're also going to be tracking storms around the periphery of this heat as we go through the rest of the week and that does include the northeast by Wednesday here.
00:36All right.
00:37So I just got to know who here framed this beautiful shot in State College. It was obviously an employee evacueather. It's a lovely shot. A big shopping area I believe that's where some of the big box stores are and a really nice grocery chain as well.
00:50You're catching my drift. All right. A dangerous heat wave. It is gripping the mid-Atlantic today with excessive heat warnings in effect as cities ramp up emergency resources.
01:00In Philadelphia, first responders are bracing for increased calls and cooling centers have opened across the region.
01:06Now, Allie doesn't look very cool right now. She looks fabulous.
01:13She looks like a model. Her hair is blowing in her wings.
01:15It's almost like, but you know what? It's like a sawn out there already this morning.
01:20Allie Reed live in Philadelphia on what it looks like on the ground and how the city is working to keep everybody safe.
01:26Good morning, Allie.
01:31Good morning, guys.
01:32I think the only saving grace this morning here in the city of brotherly love is the fact that we do have a little bit of breeze this morning and I'm taking in every ounce of that you can imagine.
01:41Right. But today, as you mentioned, it is projected to potentially hit triple digits up 100 degrees here in Philadelphia.
01:49That'll be the first time in 13 years if that happens, making it potentially a rare event here in the city.
01:56Now, if we're going to talk some numbers for a second, the last time that it hit 100 degrees in Philadelphia in the month of June, though, you have to go all the way back to June or July.
02:06Sorry, excuse me, June of 1995.
02:09That is a very long time ago, if you'd imagine.
02:12So if we do hit 100 degrees today, potentially later on this afternoon, that's a big deal for Philadelphia standards.
02:19Now, with all of that being said, while, yes, it can be uncomfortable, these temperatures are very dangerous to go along with it.
02:27So while you might be stepping outside today, it is important to keep in mind some safety notes.
02:31And certainly there are officials across the city of Philadelphia that are taking this very seriously today.
02:38Now, despite the conditions, many people across the city are still outside enjoying the day, walking dogs, running, biking, and heading to parks and splash pads for just a little bit of relief.
02:50But officials say now is the time to take precautions seriously.
02:53The city as a whole has more than 100 cooling centers.
02:56That's a good thing.
02:57Libraries, pools, spray grounds are being used as safe spaces to cool off.
03:02Transit systems are on heat watch.
03:04EMS teams have already responded to a rise in heat-related calls.
03:08And the Philadelphia Fire Department says this kind of response doesn't start when temperatures spike.
03:13It starts months in advance.
03:15The fire department started planning for this in the wintertime when we had the extreme colds to anticipate what we're going to do when the temperatures climb too high.
03:22We're also trying to ensure that we have additional resources in place.
03:26We do anticipate to have an increased call volume, and we want to make sure that we're able to respond accordingly.
03:31And we know that the next four or five days will have 90 degrees and above with heat indexes and triple digits.
03:35So that's something that we're definitely keeping in mind.
03:38Health officials are urging residents to stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
03:46Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty.
03:49Wear light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, shade, and rest breaks are key for anyone working or working out, or working just in general, or exercising outside.
04:00And above all, never leave children or pets in vehicles, even for a moment, as temperatures inside can skyrocket in minutes.
04:08And Ari, Bernie, let me make this clear that tonight, looking at the temperatures, it is not going to go below 90 degrees at any point this evening here in Philadelphia, Jersey, really this kind of entire region.
04:23So if you think you're going to get some relief this evening, no, no, no, you're not.
04:28Sorry, guys.
04:29We're holding on to the hot weather, at least through tomorrow.
04:33And it looks like the end of this week, Bernie, maybe you could, Bernie and Ari, you can mention it a little bit more.
04:37But we might get some relief into the 80s later on this week.
04:42But as for the next 24 hours, it is hot, hot, hot, guys.
04:47Yeah.
04:47And Ali, you mentioned it.
04:48Tonight is going to be exceptionally uncomfortable, even while we may drop out of the 80s later on into the 80s later on tonight.
04:56It is tomorrow morning.
04:58We're probably around 80 degrees in a lot of areas.
05:00Yeah.
05:01All right.
05:01Ali, we appreciate you being live in the elements this morning.
05:05The sun glowing strong there in Philadelphia.
