Heat and humidity continue for the Pittsburgh area along with an air quality alert through Friday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Thursday is our fourth day of hot and humid weather, and it comes with an air quality alert.
The record high today is 95 degrees, set back in 1994. There's a heat advisory for Ohio and Pennsylvania and parts of West Virginia through Friday.
There is an excessive heat warning for Beaver, Butler, Allegheny, Washington, Westmoreland and Fayette counties until Saturday where the criteria are a heat index of 105 degrees or greater.
The Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisories currently in effect have been extended a day until 8PM Saturday. WPC HeatRisk maps can be found at https://t.co/nH3fIcNnhl pic.twitter.com/DaDL8XATtt
— NWS Pittsburgh (@NWSPittsburgh) June 19, 2024
There's also an air quality alert for most of the region for Thursday and Friday where being outside for a long period of time for sensitive groups could be dangerous. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-90s will "create conditions for robust ozone development and formation."
A code orange air quality action day means there are unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups like young children, older people and those with respiratory issues.
There's a chance for an isolated shower or storm north Thursday so stay weather aware on this KDKA First Alert Weather Day. The chance for isolated storms sticks around Friday and then again Sunday. This weekend, Saturday looks to be the hottest day with highs in the upper 90s and again, feeling in the low 100s.
The last stretch of 90 degrees or above in Pittsburgh happened in July 2020 when we saw eight straight days with highs hitting the 90s. In 2018 there were four straight 90-degree days. That's it when it comes to four or more 90-degree days over the last 10 years. The longest stretch of 90-degree days occurred in 1988 when we saw 13 straight days at or above 90 degrees.
We will see the low 80s return on Monday then mid to upper 80s on Tuesday.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Crank up the AC and wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothes. Use sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late evening, and take frequent breaks in the shade.
Watch for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, and seek medical help if needed.
Stay safe and remember if it's too hot for you it's too hot for your pets. Do not leave your pets or kids in the car as temperatures could reach over 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes and lethal temperatures in less than an 30 minutes.