The National Weather Service has upgraded its excessive heat watch to an excessive heat warning for today from noon to 8 p.m. in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Ocean counties.
The heat index will be as high as 110 degrees, the service said. If thunderstorms are delayed Sunday, the warning could extend into Sunday as well. Currently, temperatures are expected in the low 90s.
Lee Robertson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said temperatures are expected to cool down to the low to mid-80s next week. But he said it’s too early to determine whether temperatures will be this high again later this season.
“It’s only July 6. There is plenty of summer left,” he said. “It’s always possible for more heat.”
The temperature and winds have also affected the ocean waters, making them warmer than normal, he said.
The weather service suggests people drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and in air-conditioned areas, check in on neighbors, take extra precautions when working outside or schedule the activity for the morning, wear light-weight and loose-fitting clothing and never leave an animal or child in a parked car.
Excessive heat will be exacerbated for residents still without power following the June 30 storm. As of Friday night, 2,717 Atlantic County customers still don’t have power. In Cape May County, there are 592, and in Cumberland County there are 118.
Vineland has its own utility, and about 2,600 of those customers remained without power.
Ed Matlack, of Landisville, was still without power as of Friday night. He has been borrowing a generator, but he said it does not work in the sun. The electric company told him that his power should be restored by midnight, but if they were wrong, he had a plan.
Today, “I’m going to go to the beach,” he said. “I’m going to Sea Isle, where I was born and raised.”
Because of the excessive heat, Atlantic City Electric is expecting a high demand for electricity and asks residents to conserve energy. The company said the record heat, damage to the electrical system from Saturday’s storm and high demand for electricity as customers seek to cool their homes are stressing the capabilities of the power system.
Staff Writer David Simpson contributed to this report.
Contact Joel Landau:
609-272-7215
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