Philadelphia is baking under a high near 100°F today, with the National Weather Service warning that heat index values could climb to 106 before a round of afternoon and evening thunderstorms moves through — so plan your outdoor time for the morning and get somewhere cool by mid-afternoon.
Today’s Setup
The Extreme Heat Warning covering our entire area stays in effect through 8 PM tonight. NWS Mount Holly says the ridge responsible for this stretch of heat is finally starting to break down, but not fast enough to spare us today — dewpoints near 70°F keep it muggy on top of the heat. Showers and thunderstorms, some capable of heavy rain, are expected after 3 PM and could linger into the evening, with a 60% chance of storms overnight as a line moves through between 8 and 11 PM.
Best Window To Be Outside
If you’ve got errands, dog walks, or yard work, get it done before noon. After that, the combination of heat index near 106 and building storm chances makes the afternoon the riskiest stretch of the day. Fans headed to Lincoln Financial Field for today’s World Cup Round of 16 match between Paraguay and France should hydrate well beforehand and keep an eye on the sky for the evening storm threat. If you’re headed downtown for the One Philly Unity Concert For America on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, bring water and expect a possible weather delay after 3 PM.
Rain, Wind, Fire, Or Heat Risk
This is a heat day first, storm day second. Northwest winds stay light at 5 to 10 mph with gusts to 25 mph possible in stronger storm cells. New rainfall should stay under a tenth of an inch today, but forecasters note any storm that fires up could turn briefly heavy. With storms in the forecast again tonight and Sunday, it’s worth having a backup power source on hand — the DARAN 288Wh Power Station is a smart, affordable option if the Wednesday storms knock out power anywhere nearby.
What To Wear Or Bring
Think light, breathable fabrics — men’s sport sandals and a women’s swimsuit if you’re near a pool or cooling off at the shore. Pack a talc free body powder to stay comfortable in the humidity, and if you’re getting a run or walk in early, a hydration running vest is worth it before the heat peaks. An insulated tumbler 30oz keeps your water cold for hours outdoors.
Helpful Links
Music fans have plenty coming up: Paul Simon plays TD Pavilion at Highmark Mann on Sunday, July 5 — read our Paul Simon weather guide for what to bring, and grab tickets on SeatGeek. Meghan Trainor’s Get In Girl Tour also lands nearby on July 5 — see our Meghan Trainor concert weather breakdown and find tickets on StubHub.
Tonight’s Dinner
Too hot to fire up the oven tonight — a cold Thai noodle salad or a build-your-own wrap bar keeps the kitchen cool. A high-powered blender makes quick work of smoothie bowls for dessert. Need ingredients? You can order groceries on Amazon and have everything for tonight’s dinner delivered to your door.
Next Few Days
Sunday brings some relief with highs in the upper 80s, though NWS still calls for a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Monday looks like the true break in the heat. Storms remain a multi-day concern, so keep an eye on radar through the weekend.
