The forecast for the Pittsburgh region today calls for high temperatures, high humidity and poor air quality.
Allegheny County has activated a Code Red Heat Advisory, following guidance from the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk tool. The advisory will remain in place through Thursday.
The hot weather and sunny skies have also created conditions for ozone formation. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for the pollutant today for the southwestern part of the state, including Allegheny and surrounding counties.
It’s the second heat dome the region has seen this summer. The first one saw heat indices above 100 degrees ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend.
“The good news is, it’s not going to be quite as intense, so not quite as hot, and a shorter duration,” said Colton Milcarek, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Temperatures will reach the low 90s today, rise a few degrees into the mid-90s Wednesday before beginning to fall on Thursday. Friday night comes with a chance of thunderstorms that could break the heat wave.
Ozone is expected to peak during the afternoon hours, which is a pollutant that can trigger asthma attacks and irritate the airways. Young children, elderly people and those with respiratory sensitivities should limit their time outside.
The city of Pittsburgh has activated six cooling centers. Those spaces will be air conditioned and open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services and partner agencies will check on older adults white the heat advisory is in place. Residents are encouraged to check on family, friends and neighbors, especially vulnerable and elderly people.