Heat warning, air quality warning issued

Joy Zupper, 10, a participant in the Allentown Summer Playground Program, plays in water sprayed by Allentown Firefighter Mike Bryant at Roosevelt Park in Allentown on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. With a heat advisory in effect for the region through Thursday and an extreme heat warning through Sunday, the fire department is operating cooling stations at various parks this week. The National Weather Service reported a heat index of 88 degrees around 4 p.m. Tuesday. (April Gamiz/The Morning Call)

Although highs in the Lehigh Valley will again top 80 degrees on Sunday, the region will at least get a break from the humidity that has made the past few days unbearable. Enjoy it, because the respite will be short-lived.

The National Weather Service has issued another heat warning for the region from Monday 10:00 a.m. to Tuesday 8:00 p.m.

Maximum temperatures will again be above 30 degrees, but dew points will again be higher than 18 degrees, according to the weather service’s forecast. The increased humidity means that heat index values ​​will rise to as high as 39 degrees.

A heat warning was in effect for the Lehigh Valley on Friday and Saturday.

In addition to the heat warning, the usual precautions apply to protect yourself in the heat. If you absolutely must go outside, limit strenuous activities to the early morning and evening hours and wear light and loose-fitting clothing. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and check on relatives and neighbors.

As if the heat and humidity weren’t enough to make you feel miserable, poor air quality is also expected. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange air quality warning for the Lehigh Valley and Berks County region on Monday.

Air pollution can be harmful to sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and people with lung or heart disease. These groups are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Looking ahead, there is no major relief from the heat in sight: According to the weather service, maximum temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius are expected until next weekend.

Here is the extended forecast from the weather service:

Monday: A slight chance of rain and a thunderstorm after 2 p.m. Sunny, with a high around 95 degrees. Northeast wind around 5 mph, decreasing in the afternoon. A 20% chance of precipitation.

Monday night: Partly cloudy, low around 75. Calm wind.

Tuesday: Chance of rain and thunderstorms, especially after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, high around 95. Heat index values ​​as high as 103. Calm, southwest wind around 5 mph in the afternoon. 40% chance of precipitation. Nine precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, but higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday night: Chance of rain and thunderstorms, especially before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph, decreasing. 30% chance of precipitation. Nine precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, but higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A slight chance of rain and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of rain between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then rain and thunderstorms likely after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, high around 93. 60% chance of precipitation. Nine precipitation amounts between 0.25 and 0.45 inches, but higher amounts are possible during thunderstorms.

Wednesday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, especially before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. 60% chance of precipitation.

Thursday: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, high temperature around 32 °C. The probability of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday night: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, high temperature around 30 °C. The probability of precipitation is 50%.

Friday night: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. The chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, maximum temperature around 30 °C. The probability of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday night: Thunderstorms possible. Partly cloudy, low around 69. Chance of precipitation 30%.

Sunday: Sunny, high around 91.