Heat wave pushes Pittsburgh toward 100 degrees

Heat wave pushes Pittsburgh toward 100 degrees

Temperatures will soar well past the 90s for the next few days in Southwest Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: Allegheny County issued a Code Red heat advisory on Monday, meaning people without air conditioning, health systems, industries and infrastructure will be endangered by high heat, according to the National Weather Service.

The big picture: A "heat dome" is hovering over much of the eastern half of the U.S., trapping warm air over the area for an extended period.

Zoom in: Local highs push above 90s starting Tuesday and could rise to near 100 degrees by Thursday or Friday, according to the weather service.

  • It will feel even hotter than that due to the high humidity.
  • Thunderstorm chances arrive Friday and will linger through the weekend and could impact Fourth of July celebrations.

    • State of play: The city of Pittsburgh activated its five cooling centers across the city to give public access to air conditioning to those who need it.

  • Search for other cooling centers outside the city here.

    • What's next: Temperatures above 90 degrees are forecast through Sunday. It's too soon to tell when exactly the heat dome will end.