East Coast warned of heatwave as historic temperatures hit US

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Wednesday: Intense sunshine, rising humidity and hot air will push temperatures to 'dangerous' levels

Last Updated: 6:35 PM, June 7, 2011

Posted: 5:50 PM, June 7, 2011

PHILADELPHIA -- Parts of the East Coast were put on alert Tuesday for a heatwave as unseasonably high temperatures began sweeping the US.

Temperatures were expected to soar up to 20 degrees above average in the northeast and could break records by midweek.

The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning from noon Wednesday until 8:00pm local time Thursday for much of southeastern Pennsylvania, northern Delaware and west central New Jersey, including the cities of Trenton, Philadelphia, Camden and Wilmington.

Wednesday's temperature in Philadelphia is expected to reach 96 degrees Fahrenheit -- one degree above the city's record set for June 8 in 2008 -- while Thursday's projected high was 98 degrees, which would tie the 1933 record, myFOXphilly.com reported.

Less severe heat advisories were issued for other areas, including New York City, and a few severe thunderstorms could be expected to erupt across northern New York State and New England as the heat rolls in.

Meanwhile, parts of the Midwest from Minnesota to Kentucky were already experiencing historic high temperatures.

Minneapolis on Tuesday had a high of at least 102 degrees -- marking the hottest day since July 15, 1988, and the second-earliest 100-degree reading in the city since 1872, according to The Weather Channel.

Temperatures in Milwaukee had reached 97 degrees by Tuesday afternoon, topping the previous record for June 7, set in 1933 at 95 degrees, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

In Lexington, Ky. -- where normal temperatures for this time of year are in the low 80s -- residents could see the city's record of 95 degrees be tied or broken this week, the Herald-Leader said.

In Cincinnati temperatures swelled into the 90s and the city's health commissioner, Noble Maseru, declared a heat emergency.

The National Weather Service warned that hot temperatures combined with high humidity could put residents in danger of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. It advised people in affected areas to wear light and loose fitting clothing and to drink as much water as possible.

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