Meteorologists say temperatures could reach an all-time high this week

It’s expected to be hot most days this week in the Lehigh Valley.

The National Weather Service at Mount Holly is expecting high temperatures in the low to mid-90s through at least Thursday. Meteorologists say high temperatures are expected to abate by the end of the week, with Friday to Sunday hovering in the high 80s.

It’s too early to tell if the region will break any records, but the normal high temperature for this time of year is usually in the low 80s – as recorded at Lehigh Valley International Airport in Hanover Township, Lehigh County.

A heat wave is also possible. A heat wave is defined by the Meteorological Service as having temperatures of 90 degrees or more and generally lasting two or more days.

Meteorologists will also likely check heat indicators to see if a “heat warning” is necessary. The criteria for a “heat advisory” in Pennsylvania is when the heat index reaches a high temperature of 100 to 104 degrees. Anything higher than that and lasting two hours or more will escalate to an “extreme heat warning,” according to the weather service.

The high temperature on Tuesday is expected to reach nearly 92 degrees with heat index values ​​rising to 100. The low temperature is expected to drop to around 69 degrees on Tuesday evening, says the Meteorological Service.

AccuWeather offers a similar forecast, calling for Tuesday’s high temperature of 94 degrees and hot and humid conditions. By Tuesday evening, AccuWeather expects temperatures to drop to 69 degrees and be clear, warm and humid.

Air quality on Tuesday in the region was also rated “poor”. This means that the air has reached a high level of pollution which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. AccuWeather recommends that these groups reduce the time they spend outside if they are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing or throat irritation.

On Wednesday, meteorologists expect the maximum temperature to reach around 94 degrees with heat index values ​​of up to 100. After that, the low temperature is expected to drop to around 71 degrees on Wednesday evening, the meteorological service says.

AccuWeather expects the high temperature to be near 96 degrees on Wednesday, with the temperature dipping to 68 degrees in the evening. For both Tuesday and Wednesday, AccuWeather’s meteorologists advise caution if you’ll be outside for long periods of time.

On Thursday, there is a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 3 p.m., then the weather will be mostly sunny with the temperature high near 93 degrees, before dropping to a low of around 70 degrees Thursday evening, the meteorological department said.

AccuWeather expects the temperature to reach 91 degrees on Thursday, with a thunderstorm in the afternoon. The Meteorological Agency warned that thunderstorms on Thursday could lead to flash floods and damaging local winds.

The chances of rain on Thursday reach 30% and 40% on Thursday evening, according to the meteorological services. More rain and thunderstorms mainly are expected before 3 a.m. on Friday by the two weather agencies. New amounts of precipitation between one-tenth and a quarter of an inch are expected, except for possible higher amounts in thunderstorms.

By Friday, the area could get some respite from the heat.

The weather service then calls for the temperature to rise to close to 88 degrees with the possibility of more rain. The weather service says the chance of rain is 50%. AccuWeather expects the temperature to reach 86 degrees on Friday, with rain and thunderstorms continuing frequently throughout the weekend.

Both weather agencies expect high temperatures to remain in the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday.

Please sign up now and support the local journalism you count on and trust.

Pamela Sroka Holzman can be reached pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.