Will South Jersey heat wave break records? Here's what experts say
If you think a multiple-day heat wave this early in the season seems out of the ordinary, you'd be correct.
But, this spate of temperatures 90 degrees and above is "unusual, but not unprecedented," according to National Weather Service meteorologist Sarah Johnson.
Inland areas of South Jersey will experience temperatures in the mid to high 90s this week for days on end. Is it record-breaking?
A prolonged period of heat and increasing humidity will continue to build this week and into this weekend.
Heat Advisories are now in effect for today and Wednesday.
The Excessive Heat Watch has been extended into Sunday.https://t.co/BVdKD6JKjt#NJwx#PAwx#DEwx#MDwxpic.twitter.com/GUisOW79tM— NWS Mount Holly (@NWS_MountHolly) June 18, 2024
More: Check the heat wave forecast here
Will South Jersey heat wave break records?
While there are indicators for day-by-day temperature records through the years, Johnson said that the weather service doesn't keep official record of lengths of heat waves.
According to some of the NWS archives, however, Johnson shared that longer periods of high heat (90 degrees and above) have occurred in the Philadelphia and neighboring regions in the past.
In 1957, a high heat streak lasted for eight days, ending on June 19. And in 1991 a nine-day streak ended on June 2.
The heat in South Jersey this week is expected to be at or over 90 degrees for at least six days, with the highest temps being on Friday and Saturday, but the streak could extend into Monday.
Heat records are less likely to be broken on the coastline, where the NWS has an official climate reporting site at the Atlantic City Airport. That's because of the natural temperature difference at the shore, where it tends to be cooler.
In Philadelphia, however, Friday's forecasted 99-degree heat, previously expected to be 100 degrees, could potentially break the previous to-date record of 99 degrees.
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Kaitlyn McCormick writes about trending issues and community news across South Jersey for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times. If you have a story she should tell, email her at kmccormick@gannett.com. And subscribe to stay up to date on the news you need.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: What to know about South Jersey's heat wave and past heat records
