Pike County opens cooling centers as NWS warns of high heat

The National Weather Service is warning of high heat through the weekend, with particularly hot days on Wednesday and Thursday.

While the Poconos are not under a heat advisory, temperatures will climb, with highs near 94 forecast for Stroudsburg on Saturday and Sunday, according to the NWS.

"Very warm and muggy conditions at night will not offer much relief," the NWS said.

Philadelphia and its surrounding Pennsylvania counties are under a heat advisory, along with parts of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and New York.

Pike County announced Wednesday morning that seniors centers will be open as cooling centers during these days and times: Blooming Grove Center: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Lackawaxen Center: Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Eastern Pike at Matamoras Fire Dept.: Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Bushkill at Saw Creek’s Top of the World Restaurant: Mondays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Bushkill at Pocono Mountain Lake Estates: Tues. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stay safe outdoors

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is advising visitors to hike in the cooler early morning hours, drink lots of water (bring it with you) and rest in shady areas.

The recreation area advised against bringing dogs along this weekend, and notes that "This is not the time to hike Mt. Tammany. Big strenuous mountain hikes will still be there when the weather cools off (and a lot more enjoyable too)."

As in all weather, the recreation area is reminding visitors on the Delaware River to wear life jackets.

This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Cooling shelters opening in northern Poconos as temperatures rise