PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s looking like a record-breaking weather weekend in the Philadelphia area. Unusually high temperatures are expected for the region through Sunday. A heat advisory is in effect for population centers along the I-95 corridor.
The National Weather Service advises: Stay hydrated if you plan on being outside.
NWS meteorologist Jason Franklin, in Mount Holly, N.J., says weather records could be broken this weekend. Saturday is expected to reach the hottest temperature for May, with Sunday somewhat cooler but still above average.
“The record high temperature was set in 1934. The record high was 95. And we're looking at a forecast high temperature at or slightly above 95,” he said.
“May is a little early for the longer stretches of 90s and above to affect this area, but it's not out of the realm of possibilities. It's not that common, but it does happen.”
At South Ardmore Park in Lower Merion Township, T-ball coach Justin Boron of Bryn Mawr says his team of 4- and 5-year-olds definitely felt the heat. He said their game on the hottest day in May was “brutal.”
“It's tough for the little guys out there,” he said. “We’re the Turtles and the Turtles are particularly resistant to heat, but even these turtles were a little bit slower than normal.”
But Boron says he has a strategy to motivate the kids to play in this weather.
“It's just important that, every break, you can get them to get water and sit in the shade just for a little bit to calm down before they head back out there,” he said. “Keep the energy up, you know, do the best you can.”
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Franklin says the heat can feel particularly oppressive when it comes on so suddenly, so soon in the year.
“Normal high temperatures in Philadelphia right now are 76. So we're running about 15 to 20 degrees above normal.”
That’s why KYW Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough says this heat wave is especially dangerous, and people may be better off staying indoors.
"I think something you can't underestimate that's very important — as this is happening on May 21 — no one's really thinking about excessive heat. They're going to get out there and they might have plans,” McDonough said.
“You might be working outdoors. You might be playing a sport. … Obviously, you drink plenty of fluids. You protect yourself, but, you know, this might be the opportunity to say, ‘No, I'm not going outside this time. I'm staying indoors, where it's a lot better, a lot safer.’"
Medical experts say family and neighbors should check in people who are vulnerable to the heat on days like this — including the elderly and people with chronic conditions like diabetes.
"In situations like this, with excessive heat, the people we worry about most are the very young babies, young children, and the very old. They're at greatest risk,” McDonough said. “In addition to that, people with chronic conditions, like diabetes, respiratory illness, heart issues, all of these people should be kept where it's cool and really limit the time outside on days like today when we're going to get these exceedingly high temperatures as well as humidity."
Experts urge common sense. Drink plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather. And anyone who has to be outside should consider setting a time limit.