The heat is on, but it’s about to get even more oppressive.
Friday will be the hottest day the Pittsburgh area has seen this year, with heat index values expected to climb above 100 degrees.
A heat advisory will take effect in the Pittsburgh area Friday at 11 a.m. and continue through 9 p.m., said Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Moon.
“Frankly, it’s going to be feeling like a hot swimming pool out there,” he said.
Beginning Thursday afternoon, temperatures will rise into the upper 80s. Overnight, it will cool down into the 70s before rising again to 90 degrees, Mr. Hendricks said.
The NWS is forecasting a high temperature of 94 degrees, but the heat index — what it feels like in the sun — could reach as high as 104 degrees, the weather service said in its advisory. There is also a slight chance of afternoon thunderstorms.
The extreme heat is slated to affect Western Pennsylvania, east central Ohio and northern West Virginia.
Among weather-related hazards, extreme heat results in the highest number of deaths nationwide.
Individuals with heart, lung, and neurological conditions, especially those who take medication to treat them or fall in “extremes of age” — younger than 5 or older than 65 — are the most at risk for adverse health complications.
“If you have some projects you have to do, try to do them in the morning hours before the heat of the day hits,” said Mr. Hendricks.
Power failures are also possible during periods of extreme heat. To prepare, it is recommended to fully charge your phones, stock up on water and food that doesn’t require refrigeration or cooking and to keep extra batteries in your home.
The City of Pittsburgh has five cooling centers open Thursday and Friday in the following locations:
- Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center, 1555 Broadway Ave.
- Brighton Heights Healthy Active Living Community Center, 3515 McClure Ave.
- Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center, 745 Greenfield Ave.
- Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center, 7321 Frankstown Road
- Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community Center, 720 Sherwood Ave.
- South Side Healthy Active Living Community Center, 12th & Bingham streets
CitiParks rec centers with air conditioning will also be open in the following locations:
- 2217 Bedford Ave., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 1400 Oakridge St., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- 605 Redknap St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- 745 Greenfield Ave. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- 1201 Paulson Ave., 9 p.m. 6 p.m.
- 201 Parkfield St., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
First Published: July 27, 2023, 2:54 p.m.
Updated: July 28, 2023, 5:10 p.m.
