Temperatures reached a record 101 degrees Wednesday before dropping just as a cold front and thunderstorms moved into the region, according to the National Weather Service.
A heat wave, which began Sunday when the temperatures reached 92 degrees, peaked a few minutes before 2 p.m. Wednesday at 101 degrees in Atlantic City, according to the weather service. The temperature then began dropping just as thunderstorms moved into the region at about 8 p.m.
The next few days are likely to bring a chance of showers and thunderstorms, with high temperatures expected to be in the 80s, Mount Holly-based weather service meteorologist Kristin Kline said.
Other areas in the region saw similar high temperatures Wednesday, such as 99 degrees in Wildwood and Millville, before they dropped off.
There were numerous power outages in Atlantic and Cumberland Counties caused by the storms Wednesday, Atlantic City Electric spokesman Bill Yingling said. At the peak of the outages, there were more than 8,000 without power.
Most of the outages were in the Northfield area, with 6,000 outages spanning from Linwood to Pleasantville. In Egg Harbor Township, almost 2,000 were without power.
As off 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, there still were 1,200 without power with most, 777, in the Port Norris area, according to the Atlantic City Electric outage map.
Wednesday was the second day this month that Atlantic City temperatures soared into the triple digits and record books. On July 7, the high temperature was 100 degrees, tying for eighth place for the hottest single July day in the city, according to the National Weather Service.
In first place was July 22 and 23, 2011, when temperatures reached 105 degrees in the city.
Typically, rain and thunderstorms occur after an extended heat wave, providing relief from the heat and dry conditions, said Jim Eberwine, the emergency management coordinator for Absecon who has a background in meteorology.
“If we get an inch (of rain) out of this, it would be really nice,” he said.
The hot temperatures this week sent crowds to the beaches, including in Ocean City, which saw a total of about 5,400 people as of 5 p.m. Wednesday at its beaches on Fifth, Eighth and Ninth streets, according to Paul Boardman, a 24-year-old lifeguard with the Ocean City Beach Patrol.
“They have been substantially high with this weather,” he said of the beach counts.
While the crowds came out for the beach, Holly Kisby, general manager of Shriver’s salt water taffy and fudge store in Ocean City, reported mediocre results Wednesday, although generally good sales overall this season.
“Some days are better than others,” she said.
Despite the high heat, emergency rooms at all locations at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center did not experience an unusual increase in the number of heat-related cases.
Dr. Thomas Brabson, chairman of emergency services for AtlantiCare, said anyone who experiences dizziness and nausea should seek relief from the heat and stay well hydrated. Anyone who also shows signs of confusion should seek immediate help, he said.
Of particular concern are people with an underlying medical condition, such as heart or respiratory conditions and diabetes, he said. They should take precautions to stay out of the high heat so as to not exacerbate their medical condition.
Staff writer David Simpson contributed to this report.
Contact Hoa Nguyen:
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