By: Richard L. Smith
As temperatures soar, The Honorable Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Ketlen Baptiste Alsbrook have announced the activation of an Excessive Heat Advisory for my friends and family in Newark.
The advisory is in effect from today, Friday, July 5, through 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, with heat index values expected to reach as high as 98°F.
Currently, -at 4:15 a.m- Newark is experiencing humid conditions with temperatures at 76 degrees, slightly cooler in Sussex County at 73 degrees.
Residents are advised to stay indoors with air conditioning or visit the shore for some beach relief, although caution is urged due to the extreme heat.
The Health Department strongly advises Newark residents, particularly seniors and those with chronic health problems or mental health conditions, to take necessary precautions.
These include using air conditioning to stay cool, hydrating regularly, and limiting outdoor activities, especially during the peak heat hours from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
According to a statement released by the mayor's office, Newark's indoor and outdoor swimming pools are open to the public as part of the city's efforts to provide residents with places to cool down.
The National Weather Service said that despite the partly sunny skies expected, with highs nearing 92°F and heat index values up to 105°F, the city is also preparing for possible weather disturbances.
There's a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 8 a.m., with new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts could occur during thunderstorms.
NWS forecasters say that in the evening, there is a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11 p.m., followed by patchy fog after 2 a.m. Nighttime temperatures will drop to around 77 degrees under partly cloudy skies.
The city urges all residents to take the necessary precautions to stay safe and hydrated during this period of excessive heat.