Heat wave to peak in Philadelphia this weekend

The heat wave is forecast to peak in Philadelphia this weekend, sending temperatures soaring to dangerous levels .

Why it matters: It's the season's first extreme heat dome, heightening risks to those without access to cooling, the very young and elderly, and those with chronic health conditions.

State of play: Philadelphia extended a heat health emergency through Sunday, activating special services like cooling centers .

• The city's Water Department has also suspended shut-offs during the emergency.

The latest: The lingering heat wave will push temps to the mid-90s Friday and a related advisory remains in effect through Saturday morning, per the National Weather Service (NWS).

• The heat and humidity is expected to push temps into the high 90s over the weekend when the heat index could reach 106. Showers are possible both Saturday and Sunday evening.
• An excessive heat watch will be in effect through Sunday.

The big picture: We'll get little relief as the new week begins.

• Temps will hover in the low- to mid-90s through Wednesday.

What they're saying: This level of heat is unusual for the region, NWS meteorologist Cameron Wunderlin tells Axios.

• The area typically doesn't experience these kinds of highs this time of the year or for so many days, Wunderlin says.

🌡️ Flashback: Philly's longest stretch of temps reaching at least 90 was 18 days in 1988, per NWS.

Between the lines: Studies show that economic productivity takes a hit during extreme heat events and climate change is likely to worsen these impacts in the future.

• Global warming is making heat waves more likely, more intense and longer lasting, and research finds some heat waves would have been "virtually impossible without human-caused climate change."

What's next: Wunderlin forecasts a high chance of above-normal temperatures for the region over the next four weeks.

• Philly could be in store for one of the hottest summers on record .

Go deeper: How to keep your smartphone cool during a heat wave

Editor's note: This story has been updated to add new information about the city's heat emergency.

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