Thursday was off to a steamy start, with temperatures running five to seven degrees warmer than Wednesday, already in the 70s and low 80s to begin the day. Any overnight showers and thunderstorms have moved offshore, looking sunny during the day Thursday, hot and humid. Temperatures this after noon will be running about five to six degrees warmer than Wednesday. Wednesday’s high in Philadelphia was 97°, today’s forecast high is 103°, which would tie the record for today’s date set back in 1901. Feels like temperatures with elevated humidity will range from 100° to 112° for our area this afternoon. Stifling heat will hit the region again tomorrow with mostly sunny skies and a high of 103° after a morning low of 83°. Feels like temperatures right back to where they’ll be Thursday, running 100° to 112° through the afternoon. There is a chance of some stronger isolated thunderstorms developing Friday, but most neighborhoods should stay dry. Saturday, the Fourth of July, our forecast high is 100°. With elevated humidity those feels like temperatures will be right back above 105°, feeling like 107° in Philadelphia on Independence Day. There is a chance of some scattered showers and thunderstorms late Saturday afternoon and even more likely for the evening hours, which could impact events. Doesn’t look like widespread storms, but the chance will be increasing for the Fourth. Our First Alert ends Saturday evening. Showers and thunderstorms will be more widespread Sunday with temperatures not as hot at 92°, still feeling like the mid 90s. Showers and thunderstorms continue into Monday will give us a dramatic cool down with temperatures in the 70s and low 80s possible Monday and Tuesday with lingering showers. Then, back to the 80s for the balance of next week starting Wednesday with partly sunny skies. Heat health emergency Philadelphia’s Department of Health declared a heat health emergency that began at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and will last through 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, 2026. However, officials said the emergency could be extended if conditions worsen. A heat health emergency activates the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging’s (PCA) Heatline, opens cooling centers and calls for home visits by special field teams as well as enhanced daytime outreach for people experiencing homelessness, officials said. Impact on local events The hottest days of the season arrived during a busy week leading up to Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Fans, portable drinking fountains and hospitality hubs have also been placed around Independence Day Week events to help keep people cool. “The hospitality hubs up and down the parkway for those events will be open,” Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson said. “You can bring your own water bottle. You can refill water from those hubs. There will be capacity to go indoors a little bit.” The extreme heat has prompted changes to many of the events that were originally planned to celebrate the Fourth of July across the region — including cancelations and time modifications. Celebrations in Philadelphia modified  Philadelphia’s Salute to Independence parade on July 3 was shortened – from a planned 2.4 miles to one mile – due to the dangerous heat expected on Friday. The route will now begin at Independence Hall and move along Market Street to City Hall before coming to an end at Broad and Chestnut streets. A plan to have the parade move along an expanded 2.4 mile long route down the Ben Franklin Parkway and around City Hall has been scrapped due to heat. NBC10 reached out to the city to see if the July 4 concert on the Parkway – which will include performances by Christina Aguilera as well as Philly natives Will Smith, Jill Scott and Meek Mill – will be impacted by the heat. We have not yet heard back. Parade canceled in Norristown Norristown officials announced Thursday they decided to cancel the 4th of July Parade due to the heat. “The parade is one of our community’s most beloved traditions, and we share in the disappointment of its cancelation, especially as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday. With dangerous heat in the forecast, the safety of our families, our marchers, and our first responders must come first,” said Interim Municipal Administrator Jayne Musonye. The parade was set to kick off on July 4 at 1 p.m. from the downtown historic district with a grand marshal, community leaders and organizations, string band and more entertainment walking an almost two-mile route to Elmwood Park. No other 4th of July festivities are being canceled in Norristown. The Party in the Park at Elmwood Park will go on as planned at 3 p.m. with food vendors, games, face painting, live music, and family fun throughout the afternoon and evening, capped off by the annual fireworks show around 9:15 p.m. FIFA Fan Fest Fan Fest organizers shortened the hours this week due to the heat. On Thursday, July 2, the festival will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and it will be broadcasting the Portugal vs. Croatia match. On Friday, July 2, the festival will open at 5 p.m. and close at 9 p.m., and it will show the Argentina vs. Cape Verde match. On Saturday, July 4, the festival will be open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., and it will show the match Canada vs. Morocco. How to stay safe Officials also are reminding the public to safely check on older friends, relatives and neighbors during the heat. Dr. Kraftin Schreyer, the Director of Emergency Department Temple University Hospital, said staying hydrated is just as important as staying cool. “So, making sure that you’re hydrated before the heat starts. You know, if you’re playing catch-up while you’re out there, it’s already too late,” Schreyer said. ...read more read less