Lehigh Valley weather: Hottest day of week expected Tuesday, with severe storms possible

Tuesday could be the warmest day of the week as the Lehigh Valley remains under an excessive heat warning through Wednesday night.

The National Weather Service is expecting a high of 97, with heat index values reaching 104, for Tuesday.

Wednesday is expected to be a little cooler, with an anticipated high of 93.

Temperatures have reached into the 90s eight times this month, roughly half of the month, according to weather service data. The Lehigh Valley has been under an excessive heat warning since Monday, which had a recorded high of 93.

Outside of higher temperatures, forecasters said storms are possible Tuesday and Wednesday. The Lehigh Valley is at a slight risk of severe weather both days.

Storms could bring damaging wind gusts that could bring trees down and cause power outages. The storms could come between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tuesday and 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. Wednesday.

Temperatures are expected to drop into the 80s through Sunday. Here is the extended forecast from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before 8 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a slight chance of thunderstorms between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 86.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87

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