Delaware weekend weather will be 'disgustingly warm and humid' — but not at the beach
Summer has arrived in Delaware with a vengeance.
After nearly a week of 90-degree weather near Philadelphia, the National Weather Service appears to be throwing up its hands and telling it like it is.
"The heat and humidity continue to build into the region this weekend with the most oppressive conditions of this heat wave so far," reads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast for the tri-state area surrounding Philly.
After a 93-degree day in New Castle County on Friday, "we will not get much relief" Friday night, reads the forecast, with lows in the mid-70s well above room temperature.
"Though compared to the next couple nights, this will seem cool," the forecaster grouses.
As for Saturday in Wilmington, and the rest of the urban core extending up I-95? The day will be "oppressive," of course, 96 degrees and humid enough that air and clouds won't seem to disagree. The night, meanwhile, will be "disgustingly warm and humid."
Sunday will likely be "the hottest and most humid day of this stretch," coming in at an expected 98 degrees. The relief will come from early thunderstorms and lightning.
An excessive heat watch will be in effect on both Saturday and Sunday, meaning the temperature and humidity will combine to create a heat index of greater than 105 degrees.
More: Heat wave 2024: Delaware faces dangerous heat index levels as excessive heat watch looms
Want relief from the heat in Delaware? Head to the beach
The above forecast mostly holds for the metropolitan area from Wilmington to Philly to Trenton, where sun-baked concrete and asphalt take in the heat of the sun all day, and then radiate it at night. After multiple days of heat, this effect is, so to speak, baked in.
Rehoboth Beach was expected to see highs anywhere from 6 to 12 degrees cooler than Wilmington, all three days from Friday to Sunday — just cresting 80 degrees on Friday, and barely creeping above 90 degrees on the weekend's hottest day Sunday.
But take note, it will remain humid at the beach, especially in the ocean, where the humidity is 100%.
An excessive heat watch is expected to be in effect for Rehoboth Beach on Sunday.
What's the heat index?
According to the National Weather Service, the heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature.
Here's a chart to help you find out what the heat index is. You can also use this heat index calculator.
When the body sweats, the perspiration evaporates, cooling the body. When the humidity is high, the sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly and the body doesn't cool itself as well. Therefore, the body feels warmer. The heat index represents the heat you're feeling outside.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Heat wave 2024 to bring excessive heat, humidity to Delaware: NWS
