Temperatures will approach 100 degrees this weekend as the region battles a heat wave that won’t let up until Monday.
Thursday temperatures reached the mid to upper 90s in Atlantic County, with only a few degrees difference between the mainland and shore towns, National Weather Service meteorologist Kristin Kline said.
The high temperature recorded Thursday at Atlantic City International Airport in Egg Harbor Township was 95 degrees, according to the weather service.
Today will deliver more of the same, with temperatures in the mid 90s, but by Saturday the heat could become even more oppressive, as temperatures could top 100 degrees.
“It’s a persistent system of high pressure moving from the central to the eastern part of the United States that’s causing this heat,” Kline said. “But it’s not unusual to see this at this time of year.”
AccuWeather has forecast a high for today of 94 degrees and a low of 70 degrees.
Many in the region have been dealing with heat-related issues since Saturday, when a destructive thunderstorm descended on the region, tearing down power lines, uprooting trees and leaving 200,000 Atlantic City Electric customers without power across the region.
As of Thursday evening, 12,000 customers in Atlantic County, 1,900 customers in Cumberland County, 1,500 customers in Cape May County and 29 customers in Ocean County still were without power.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive-heat watch for Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties for Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. Temperatures between 95 and 100 degrees could feel like 109 degrees Saturday.
People are urged to drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous activity, stay in the air conditioning and check on the sick or elderly as heat-related illnesses are possible.
Atlantic County’s nine senior centers will provide air-conditioned relief from the heat today for residents ages 60 or older. However, they will be closed Saturday. Call 888-426-9243 for locations, operating hours and to request transportation.
Contact Jennifer Bogdan:
609-272-7239
Follow @ACPressJennifer on Twitter
