The entire commonwealth is in for a dangerous scorcher today, with extreme heat warnings in the east and and southwest and heat advisories everywhere else (except Somerset County!). Heat index values highs of up to 102 are expected as far north as McKean County, and the southwest and southeast could hit a heat index of up to 110 over the next three days.  In addition, the southeast is under an orange air quality alert for elevated levels of ozone.    

Be sure to look out for employees (especially outdoor public works teams) today by scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments if possible. If possible, adjust schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the afternoon. Anyone spending time outside during this heat wave, and those who do not have air conditioning inside, are reminded of the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and cautioned to stop and cool down immediately if you or those around you are experiencing the signs listed in the chart below.    

 Stay cool and stay safe! Click here for ways to stay cool indoors as heat arrives from state agencies. Click here to learn more about the air quality warnings.