Kate Bilo’s Memorial Day Blog About The Hot Weather And The Heat Wave

‘Whenever I’m With Him … Something Inside’

May 30, 2011 11:57 AM

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Name that tune!

Of course, if you’ve stepped outside today, you’ll probably get it in a hot second (heh, heh) - the classic “Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas. And that’s exactly what we’ve got going on this week – our very first heat wave of the season.

It’s kind of a repeat of last year, when we hit 93 on Memorial Day. Let’s just hope that doesn’t mean another record-breaker of a hot summer! High pressure is anchored off the Eastern seaboard, pumping hot, moisture-rich air directly from the tropics, through the Southeastern U.S. and it’s arrived on our doorstep just in time for Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer across the Delware Valley. The weekend was warm, but today will be the warmest of all, with temperatures already in the 80s by 10 a.m., and a high around 93 later today. Keep in mind that temperature is only part of the equation – you also have to factor in the high humidity values to get your “heat index” – and heat indices will be between 95 and 100 degrees today across the region. That’s some dangerous heat, and in fact a Heat Advisory has been issued for our region, so make sure to keep cool, check on elderly friends and relatives, and keep the pets inside and cool with plenty of water.

The heat is going to continue through the first half of the week, with temperatures in the 90s through Wednesday. There are no clear-cut parameters for the definition of a heat wave in this country, but the generally accepted definition, at least in the Northeast, is three days or more of 90+ degree temperatures. So this week will qualify! 93 will be the high tomorrow and Wednesday as well. A cool front will pass through late Wednesday, prompting a thunderstorm threat, but the heat will break a bit by the end of the week. Thursday and Friday look less humid, with highs averaging in the middle 80′s, and next weekend looks fantastic – lower 80′s with sunshine!

Stay cool today and enjoy your Memorial Day plans!

Kate Bilo