Excessive Heat Watch in place for Pittsburgh starting on Monday as hot weather moves in
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Happy Father's Day! Highs hit the upper 80s today which is 5-8 degrees warmer than normal, and just the start of the hot stuff.
Daily average High: 80° Low: 60°
Sunrise: 5:49 a.m. Sunset: 8:53 p.m.
FIRST ALERT: Monday through Saturday this week due to 90-degree temperatures.
AWARE: A heat wave through this week!
There is an Excessive Heat Watch starting tomorrow and lasting through the end of the week, with head index readings near 100 degrees. This could be upgraded to an Excessive Heat Warning where the criteria is a heat index of 105 °F or greater.
A heat wave is a stretch of three or more days in a row with highs in the 90s, with no point during the stretch (the two nights in between) falling below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
We haven't seen this type of heat wave since 1988, and the NWS has only issued three excessive heat watches since 2011. On Monday, we could break or tie the record, which was 95 set in 1994. That year was the last time we had this type of heat for so long, although we did have eight straight days of low-90s in July 2020. Lows at night dipped below 70 degrees, which technically kept it from being labeled a "heat wave." It's going to feel in the low-100s for many areas, and there's no relief at night, with lows not dipping below 70 until late next weekend.
The saving grace could be a few pop-up showers or thunderstorms both Monday and Tuesday (better chance Monday afternoon), with a few clouds around. This may save us from the mid-90s in some spots, but the precipitation chances are iffy (better chance in the Laurels).
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water! Crank up the A/C 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 30 minutes.
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