Independence Day arrives with severe storm threat – NBC10 Philadelphia

What to Know

• Dangerous heat will again be present in the entire region on this Fourth of July.
• Expect frequent lightning and heavy rain that could lead to localized flooding on Saturday.
• Temperatures reached above 100 degrees on Friday in the Philly area while the Jersey Shore saw temperatures in the 90s. Due to the humidity, temperatures felt like 112 degrees by the afternoon.
• The high heat, high humidity and instability in the atmosphere also led to some strong to severe storms later on Friday. The threat looks isolated and more likely in the evening.
• The brutal heat led to the cancellation of Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade on Friday, July 3, 2026.
• 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.
• Get the latest weather updates by downloading the NBC10 app and following the NBC10 First Alert Weather page.