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Another Excessive Heat Warning Issued

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The heat isn't letting up anytime soon across Western Pennsylvania with another summer scorcher on tap.

Though a heat advisory was initially issued for the area with temperatures expected to climb into the 90s again today, the National Weather Service has since upgraded that alert to another "excessive heat warning." The warning will remain in effect until 6 p.m.

The expected high for today will be 94-degrees, but KDKA-TV Meteorologist Dennis Bowman says it's going to feel even hotter that than -- with the heat index between 100- and 102-degrees.

The health effects associated with a heat index between the 94- and 104-degree range include the possibility of heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

Since the temperature can actually be 15-degrees higher in the sun, heat illnesses are possible with prolonged exposure, so people who have to be outdoors are advised to take it easy, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks.

Anyone who went outside early this morning got a bit of a surprise by just how warm it felt. At 4 a.m., the temperature was already 82-degrees; and the coolest it got early this morning was 79-degrees.

While we came a few degrees shy of breaking the overall record for the warmest overnight low of 82-degrees, set back on July 1, 1901, we did break the record for July 22nd. Prior to today, the warmest overnight low on record for today's date was 75-degrees back in 1978.

Although an upper level disturbance could bring the chance of a few pop-up thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening hours, they won't bring any real relief from the heat.

Temperatures are expected to continue to soar into the 90s through the weekend.

If you don't have air conditioning in your home, a number of cooling centers have been set up around the area. Click Here For A List Of Available Cooling Centers

RELATED LINKS:
Rising Temperatures & Humidity Prompt Health Alert (Allegheny County Health Department)
Allegheny County Cooling Centers
Current Weather Conditions
Tips for Staying Cool & Safe (Allegheny County Department of Human Services)
Local Radar
National Weather Service

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