The Philadelphia metro area is expected to be the nation’s hot spot tomorrow with a combination of high heat and humidity making for dangerous, if not at least uncomfortable, weather conditions.

Because of the high heat and humidity, the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning from Thursday morning through to Thursday evening for New Castle county in Delaware, Mercer, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties in New Jersey, and Delaware, Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, and Bucks counties in Pennsylvania. This Excessive Heat Watch includes the cities of Wilmington in Delaware, Glassboro, Camden, Cherry Hill, Moorestorn, and Mount Holly in New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Media, West Chester, Kennett Square, Norristown, Lansdale, Morrisville, and Doylestown in Pennsylvania.

During this period, temperatures in the mid 90s and dew point readings in the lower 70’s will produce heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees on Thursday.   These high readings will have a serious negative impact on those who work outdoors, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions that make them even more vulnerable to high heat and humidity.

An Excessive Heat Warning means that a prolonged period of very hot and humid conditions is expected. People in the watch area should drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, stay out of the sunlight, and be in an air-conditioned location if possible.  People should also check-in on elderly relatives and neighbors in the Warning area.