A dangerous heat wave will peak Monday, making it feel as if it’s 110 degrees
The city had closed its Free Library branches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will reopen some of them on Monday to serve as cooling centers. Everyone will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Dr. Farley said.
A visitor to Graffiti Pier, who didn’t want to give his name, cools off on a swing in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 19, 2020. The forecast for Monday has the temperature climbing into the upper 90’s.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
It’s going to be deadly hot Monday, with a heat index that will make it feel as if it’s nearly 110 degrees.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning Sunday, when temperatures were in the mid-90s, with a heat index of about 100.
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Monday will be the hottest day of the stretch of hot, humid temperatures that began Saturday in the region, with temperatures in the high 90s, Jonathan O’Brien, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, said Sunday. The record for that date, July 20, is 99 and was set in 1930.
“Heat is the deadliest of all natural hazards,” O’Brien said. “It’s the number-one weather-related killer.”
The weather service is urging people to take precautions and stay indoors and avoid strenuous outdoor activities.
“Drink plenty of water, check on the elderly and those who are without access to air-conditioning,” O’Brien said.
In Philadelphia, Thomas Farley, the city’s health commissioner, issued a heat health emergency beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and ending at midnight.
The city had closed its Free Library branches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will reopen some of them on Monday to serve as cooling centers. Everyone will be required to wear masks and practice social distancing, Farley said in a statement Sunday.
These libraries will be open between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, July 20.
Haddington Library at 446 N. 65th St.
Lillian Marrero Library at 601 W. Lehigh Ave.
Logan Library 1333 Wagner Ave.
“While the city has opened a number of sites to help our most vulnerable stay cool during the heat health emergency, the best thing that we can do to help our family members, neighbors, and loved ones is to use this time to check on them.,” Farley said.
He said relatives can check on seniors by telephone or video. They can also wear a mask and knock on their doors, and ask whether they need anything, but stay six feet away.
The heat health emergency declaration activates the city’s emergency heat programs, which include the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Heatline, cooling centers, home visits by special field teams, enhanced daytime outreach for people experiencing homelessness, and a reminder to the public to safely check on older friends, relatives, and neighbors from a distance.
The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s Heatline number is 215-765-9040. It will be available between 8:30 a.m. and midnight Monday.
Gary Reid cools off under a fire hydrant at Lehigh Avenue and Lawrence Street in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 20, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Albert Wellstein of Old City stays cool in the Adirondack chairs in the shade in Franklin Square July 20, 2020 as the city was really hot, but did not make it into temperatures in the upper 90s - or 100 degrees as predicted.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Amina Jones, age-11, of Philadelphia, beats the heat at the re-open Love Park fountain during a hot summer day in Philadelphia, Pa. Monday, July 20, 2020. A heat advisory has been issued for the city of Philadelphia.Read moreJOSE F. MORENO / Staff Photographer
Keith Scutching of Center City stays cool in the shade of Franklin Square watching the fountain show July 20, 2020. The choreographed fountain show debuted last summer, with shows featuring dancing water, LED lights and music. Performances take place every 30 minutes from noon to 9 p.m. daily through the month of July.Read moreTOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
Merion Martinez cooling off under a fire hydrant at Lehigh Avenue and Lawrence Street in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 20, 2020.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
Boaters ride on the Delaware River near the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia on Sunday, July 19, 2020.Read moreYONG KIM / Staff Photographer
A visitor to Graffiti Pier, who didn’t want to give his name, cools off on a swing on the pier in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 19, 2020. The forecast for Monday has the temperature climbing into the upper 90’s.Read moreDAVID MAIALETTI / Staff Photographer
An American Water Co. employee turns off a fire hydrant that someone turned on at 5th and Elm in Camden, N.J. on July 18, 2020. The worker said this particular hydrant, that was found open and unattended, can lose 500 gallons of water a minute.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Swann Memorial Fountain in Logan Circle has not been filled with water and offers no relief from the blistering heat in Phila., Pa. on July 19, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer
Star Aponte, 4, (right), and her twin sister Luz Aponte, 4, (left), play in a swimming pool together in front of their home in Feltonville Philadelphia, on Saturday, July 18, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
At a backyard summer party, near 6th and Cecil B. Moore Sts., Aubrey makes a big splash as she comes down an inflatable slide on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
A woman sits in the mist of a spraying fire hydrant to keep cool at 5th and Dauphin Streets on July 18 2020.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Marco Rosario (right) lowers his dog Fremont in the swimming pools at Schuylkill River Park on July 18 2020 as his daughter, Natalie looks on. Ruby is the other dog. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s. The pools are in one of the dog exercise areas.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
At a backyard summer party, near 6th and Cecil B. Moore Sts., Kennedi Fletcher, 2, enjoys herself in a pool on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
At a backyard summer party, near 6th and Cecil B. Moore Sts., a young girl makes her way down an inflatable slide on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
A car uses a sraying fire hydrant at 5th and Dauphin Street to get a quick wash on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
A hot cyclist uses a towel for shade as he makes his way through Logan Circle on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
A group of women who declined to give their names sun bathe at Schuylkill River Park on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s. Braving the hot temperatures was better than the alternative of staying inside they said. “Plus you get a tan.”Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Aubrey Huberty of Philadelphia cools off in the children’s sprinkler area of Twin Cities Park on July 18 2020. Temperatures climbed into the 90’s.Read moreCHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer
Christine Embon, 56, from Philadelphia enjoys the day in the shade at FDR Park in her hammock reading a book. Friday, July 17, 2020Read moreSTEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
Malachi Armstrong, (right), and Ericka Armstrong, (left), are with their daughter Aaliyah Armstrong enjoying the weather along the Schuylkill River on Friday, July 17, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
Liz Dipre, 26, of Center City, owner of Aqua Vida, (right), is out paddle boarding with her best friend Marissa Dotzler, 27, of South Philadelphia, (left), enjoying the weather in the Schuylkill River on Friday, July 17, 2020.Read moreTYGER WILLIAMS / Staff Photographer
People should call if they have questions about to stay safe in the heat or how to detect signs of heat stress. Health Department nurses will be available to speak with callers about heat-related medical problems.
On Facebook and Twitter, the Weather Service sent out posts with hashtags: #LookBeforeYouLock, #petsafety, #heatsafety, and #heat wave to remind people of the dangers of leaving children and pets inside cars, especially during the summer.
Things won’t really cool down until the end of the week, because it will remain in the 90s Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, O’Brien said.
A slight chance of thunderstorms on Wednesday and Thursday may cool things down by Friday.
It won’t be that much cooler at the New Jersey Shore on Monday, either.
Although there was a slight sea breeze that brought relief on Sunday, there won’t be much of a breeze Monday, and the highs at the Shore will be in the low- to mid-90s.
