Dangerous Heat To Intensify Today

The Fritch clock next to the Hill-to-Hill Bridge read 96 degrees at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, though the National Weather Service says the official high temperature at Lehigh Valley International Airport was only 93.

This followed Monday and Tuesday, when the official airport highs were 95 and 93.

But apparently, all that was only a prelude.

Bethlehem and the rest of the Lehigh Valley has been placed under an “excessive heat warning,” by the National Weather Service starting at noon today and extending through 8 p.m. Saturday.

The NWS forecast says the temperatures all three days should push toward the 100-degree mark, while the heat index – a measurement of how the body actually feels when its hot and humid – are expected to reach 105 or 110 degrees all three days.

The weather service says these conditions are dangerous, presenting a very real threat of heat exhaustion or heat stroke for many.

A small amount of community mobilization around the building heat wave was evident Wednesday.

The Northampton County Area Agency on Aging began to offer electric fans to senior citizens to use in their homes. (For more information, call 610-559-3245.) The Lehigh County Senior Center in Allentown opened up as a cooling center.

In Bethlehem, the Theis/Cornfeld Recycling Center closed three hours early because of the extreme heat. It will operate under shorter hours, closing at 1 p.m., this week every day through Saturday, according to the city’s Website.

Also, ArtsQuest announced that it would be moving its Saturday and Sunday free outdoor shows to the air-conditioned Musikfest Cafe inside the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks. The Thursday and Friday shows will continue as scheduled at the outdoor pavilion across the street.

Electric utility company Met-Ed asked its customers Wednesday to take steps to try to conserve electricity between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Thursday. Some of those steps include:

• Using fans instead of air conditioners if health permitted.
• Minimizing use of major appliances such as washers and dryers.
• Discontinue non-essential appliances and lights.
• Avoiding needlessly opening and closing refrigerators.

Meanwhile, PPL Electric Utilities Inc. offered no indication of concern about how the heat wave would affect its ability to supply electricity to the region.

On Wednesday afternoon, PPL’s Twitter account offered the following: “We do not anticipate problems handling the higher load on our system, which is expected to peak Thursday or Friday.”

The National Weather Service warns that the worst conditions are expected on Friday afternoon, when the heat index could reach 110 degrees.

In its warning it offers the following advice:

“The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely. Drink plenty of fluids. Stay in an air-conditioned room. Stay out of the sun. And check up on relatives and neighbors.

“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activity to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.”