A potentially deadly and record-breaking heat wave will impact Greater Akron this week.
The National Weather Service has already issued a heat advisory starting at noon Tuesday, June 30, and extending through 8 p.m. Thursday.
Forecasters warn it might be upgraded to an Extreme Heat Warning, meaning everyone is susceptible to the impact of the heat wave and the anticipated humidity.
As it stands, the National Weather Service is already urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors and unprotected from the sun for long periods of time.
Aside from the temperatures soaring well into the 90s this week, the weather service warns that when you add in the humidity it will feel like it is well over 100 degrees.
And there will be little relief at night with lows in the 70s.
Some Northeast Ohio communities, including Akron, are taking special precautions and opening up so-called cooling centers.
Akron cooling center locations
Akron has extended hours at the Summit Lake Community Center, 380 W. Crosier St., on Tuesday, June 30, Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2 to provide a cool place for residents.
The Summit Lake Community Center will be open between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. those days. All other city of Akron community centers plan to be open during normal business hours.
Although still above normal, temperatures are expected to moderate some by the Fourth of July with the arrival of a chance of showers.
Daily highs on Saturday and Sunday are still expected to be in the low 90s.
What days will be the hottest in Greater Akron this week?
The National Weather Service warns this is an extended heat wave with well-above normal temperatures will be over several days.
Daily highs of 90 or above are expected through the Fourth of July on Saturday.
The typical high for this time of year is some 84 degrees.
The warmest days of this heat wave are expected on Wednesday and Thursday when it could hit 98 degrees.
Ohio issues ‘urgent’ Safety Alert
The Fourth of July week heat wave will affect the entire state.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency on Monday issued an “urgent” Safety Alert for the dangerously hot weather conditions expected this week.
“No matter where you live in Ohio, you’ll be impacted by this week’s dangerously high temperatures,” DeWine said. “I encourage everyone to be mindful of how dangerous prolonged periods of intense heat can be and take steps to protect themselves.”
State officials say extreme heat is responsible for more weather-related deaths than any other hazard.
Older adults, infants and children along with those with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, athletes and those without air conditioning or access to cooling centers are at the greatest risk of heat-related illnesses.
Will this heat wave set a record?
With temperatures well into the 90s, some weather records dating back more than 100 years in Greater Akron could be broken.
“Record warm high temperatures may be challenged,” the weather service said.
The record high for Tuesday, June 30, was 96 set in 1913. The forecast high in Akron for Tuesday is 97 degrees.
Wednesday’s record for July 1 is 97 set in 1931. The forecast high for that day is 98.
Akron’s record for Thursday, July 2 is 98 degrees set in 1931. Thursday’s forecast high is 98 degrees.
The record for Friday, July 3 is 97 degrees set in 1911. The forecasted high on Friday in Greater Akron is 97.
And the warmest July Fourth on record was 99 degrees set in 1911. The anticipated high on Saturday in Akron is 93 degrees.
Akron weather forecast
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 97. Calm wind becoming southwest around 6 mph in the afternoon.
Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. South wind 3 to 5 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Southwest wind 5 to 7 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. West wind 6 to 9 mph.
Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 74.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.
Thursday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 75.
Friday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97.
Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Independence Day: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 93. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Need to know weather conditions by the hour? Make sure to check out our weather page here.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Dangerous heat wave threatens to break Akron records. Advisory issued
Reporting by Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
