It was a scorcher Thursday and it’s going to continue for two more days. There’s also a possibility of storms. Thursday’s temperature reached 103 degrees, which tied the record for today’s date back in 1901. There will be no relief at night despite a clear sky with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s along with tropical humidity. Friday will be bright and blazing hot with temperatures in the upper 90s/low 100s. Watch for isolated downpours Friday afternoon and evening. It will even be incredibly sultry down the shore thanks to a persistent land breeze for most of (if not the entire) day. Independence Day will also be hot and humid with scattered afternoon and evening storms. The forecasted high is 100 degrees. With elevated humidity those feels like temperatures will be right back above 105°, feeling like 107° in Philadelphia. 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. An area of low pressure attached to a front brings scattered storms for Sunday then the nearby front allows for scattered showers for Monday. 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.  Philadelphia’s Salute to Independence parade on July 3 was shortened  Wawa Welcome America’s Salute to Service concert on July 3 featuring Queen Latifah and the U.S. Army Field Band Soldiers Chorus was canceled due to the heat. Norristown officials announced Thursday they decided to cancel the 4th of July Parade due to the heat. Fan Fest organizers shortened the hours this week due to the heat. Wawa Welcome America 3 hours ago Salute to Service concert with Queen Latifah canceled due to heat Wawa Welcome America Jun 30 Extreme heat in Philly impacts Wawa Welcome America events this week Wawa Welcome America Jun 24 Road closures scheduled for upcoming 2026 Wawa Welcome America events   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