Lehigh Valley under another heat advisory as humidity set to return; code orange air quality alert issued

With high temperatures again in the 90s in the Lehigh Valley on Sunday, the region at least got a break from the humidity that made the last few days unbearable. Unfortunately, the reprieve was short-lived.

The National Weather Service has issued another heat advisory for the region from 10 a.m. Monday until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

High temperatures will once again be in the 90s, but higher dew points in the upper 60s and low 70s will return, according to the weather service forecast discussion. The increased humidity means heat index values will be as high as 102.

The Lehigh Valley had been under a heat advisory Friday and Saturday .

Along with the heat advisory come the usual precautions to stay safe in the heat. If you must go outdoors, limit strenuous activities to the early morning and evening hours and wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and check up on relatives and neighbors.

As if the heat and humidity aren’t enough to make you feel miserable, poor air quality is expected as well. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has issued a “code orange” air quality alert Monday for the Lehigh Valley and Berks County region.

Air pollution levels may become unhealthy for sensitive groups such as children, the elderly and those with lung or heart conditions. Those groups are advised to avoid strenuous activity outdoors.

Looking ahead, there doesn’t appear to be much relief in sight from the heat, with high temperatures in the upper 80s to low 90s expected through next weekend, according to the weather service.

Here is the weather service’s extended forecast:

Monday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 95. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.

Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 95. Heat index values as high as 103. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: A chance of thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 91.