The region will sizzle until next Friday for an unusually long heat wave, according to the National Weather Service.
The weather service defines a heat wave as at least three consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures or higher.
Friday was the second day of the year temperatures reached the 90s- degree mark, at 91 degrees. The high June 9 was 90, according to Bill Modzelewski, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Moon Township.
The forecast for the next week is: Saturday, a high of 90; Sunday, 92; Monday and Tuesday, 94; Wednesday, 92; Thursday, 93; and Friday. 92.
Then the temperature is expected to dip only slightly next Saturday — to 88 degrees.
“There are no record-breaking days,” Modzelewski said, “but the length of heat wave is unusually long for the region.”
Also unusual is the low humidity, he noted.
But the humidity will return starting around Monday. Pop-up thunderstorms are forecast for the middle of next week, but no major rainfall.
The region has been running on the drier side since June 1 and is 2.2 inches below normal for rainfall, Modzelewski said.
However, there was ample precipitation earlier in the year. So far, the region is not experiencing a drought, he said. But if hot temps and dry weather continue, that could change.
