Tornado Watch, Excessive Heat Warning in Effect Until 8 p.m.

UPDATE 1:20 p.m.:

The National Weather Service has also issued a Tornado Watch through 8 p.m. Wednesday night. Hail is possible.

According to the NWS (emphasis added):

Hot and very humid air mass covers the entire region this afternoon. These conditions are favorable for the development of afternoon thunderstorms...And in fact thunderstorms are already developing over portions of central and northeast Pennsylvania. These storm are expected to increase in coverage and intensity as they move eastward into the Poconos and southeast Pennsylvania... And eventually into New Jersey and parts of the Delmarva region by late afternoon or early evening.

Some of these storms will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts...Large hail and possibly a tornado as they develop and intensify. Please stay alert for upcoming severe weather watches and warnings during the remainder of this afternoon.

 

ORIGINAL STORY: 

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for the entire region until 8 p.m. This early season heatwave have heat indexes, which take into account temperature and humidity, in the mid 90s.

From the NWS:

An excessive heat warning means that a prolonged period of dangerously hot termpatures will occur. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.

The weather service suggests the following precautions:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Stay in an air-conditioned room.
• Stay out of the sun.
• Make sure pets have access to a well-ventilated and shaded area and plenty of cool water. The most humane thing to do is bring them into an air-conditioned environment.

The NWS also recommends people check up on relatives and neighbors, and cautions against leaving anyone unattended in a vehicle for any length of time, saying, "he results can be fatal."