Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey in for Surprising Weather

Sure, it's September, but pretty soon, it won't feel like it in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. The region is in for very surprising weather for the foreseeable future, according to reports from weather experts. I'm loving it, because I truly love warm weather, but I feel for my friends who want relief from the heat. It can be miserable to be in this kind of heat without air conditioning, not to mention unsafe. So, buckle up for the next few weeks, and get ready for some sizzling temperatures.

According to the weather experts at Weather.com, surprising summer-like weather will be in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey at least through the next two weeks. Looking at the upcoming forecast through Sept. 23, the region will have highs in the 80s for almost the entire period, with only some of those days falling into the upper-70s instead. Right now, the hottest day on the forecast is Saturday, Sept. 14, when temperatures are projected to get into the upper-80s in Philadelphia and throughout much of the region. Wilmington, Delaware's hottest day coming up is also, Saturday, Sept. 14, when it's projected to be 85. For Jersey City, New Jersey, the hottest day is also the 14th, with temperatures in the mid-80s. The National Weather Service also projects surprising, "warmer than normal" temperatures in the region for at least the next two weeks.

So, get out that bikini again. I know I will. I actually really hope it stays warm for Halloween, which I know is quite a long time from now. But, I remember last year, where I live, is was pretty cold for Halloween, and I felt bad for all the little kids who had to wear coats over their costumes when they went trick-or-treating.

With it being hot, keep in mind some basic heat safety tips. Ready.gov notes that "Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death." So, it's something to take seriously.

The Red Cross says to prevent heat illness, some tips include drinking enough water, avoiding "sugary, caffeinated and alcoholic drinks" and drinking snacks or a sports drink if you're sweating a lot, "to replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat." They add that when it gets into the 90s, fans might not be enough of a cooling agent to prevent heat-related illness. "Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off," they suggest. So, drink up, stay safe and enjoy this last bit of summer, if heat is your thing.

Nobody likes dealing with severe weather. But, it's part of life. Depending on where you live in the United States, you might come up against hurricanes, tornados, severe thunderstorms, blizzards and more. I've certainly had my fair share of severe weather events. Probably my most vivid memory was being in an ice storm, which knocked power out for about a week where I lived, including during Christmas. It was freezing cold, so my family and I had to go to a hotel that was out of town. Needless to say, our Christmas plans were totally different that year. So, what are some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life?

Before we get to the main tips, let's get through some basics. Stay informed when a severe weather event is approaching. It's simple but important. You don't want to be caught off guard when bad weather strikes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service both have information that they provide leading up to and during a severe weather event. So, make sure to get the latest information in the case of any weather emergency. Local meteorologists also have good information, but the main alerts come from the National Weather Service.

Another mistake some people make is not taking "watches" seriously. For example, you might see that there's a severe thunderstorm watch in your area and think, oh, it's just a watch, I can go out for a walk. Don't do it. "A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain," the National Weather Service explains. We'll get more into the specifics of a watch, warning and advisory later in this story.

Let's get into some severe weather safety tips that may safe your life.

A weather advisory, watch and warning all need to be taken seriously. So, what do they mean? According to the National Weather Service, "a warning is issued when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely." A watch is where "the risk of a hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location or timing is still uncertain." Finally, an advisory means, "hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely."

During a severe thunderstorm, and any severe weather event, the best thing to do is stay inside and sheltered. "The best defense against thunderstorms is to stay inside a sturdy building or shelter that can protect you from deadly lightning, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain and tornadoes," the National Weather Service says. Also, you don't want to risk getting hit by lightning, like in the image below.

During a tornado, get underground if possible. If you don't have a basement, get to the lowest floor possible. Also, during a tornado, watch for flying and falling debris. The National Weather Service advises to "use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris."

Be prepared. Have a good emergency kit, both in your house and your car. For the car, "An emergency kit should include booster cables, shovel, tow rope, sand or cat litter, and a flashlight with extra batteries," the National Weather Service says. "Do not forget a first aid kit, non-perishable food, and blankets or sleeping bags."

This one my mom and dad always tell me to do. And, they're right. "Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel line," the National Weather Service advises.

Heat can make for a severe weather event, too. So, dress appropriately when it gets really hot. "Lightweight, light-colored clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and helps your body maintain normal temperatures," the National Weather Service says. They add to guzzle lots of "water or non-alcoholic fluids."

Sometimes, you just have to leave ahead of the storm to be safe. In the case of a hurricane, the National Weather Service says to "leave immediately if ordered." They also say that if you are allowed to stay, to "take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level during the storm. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can," and "stay away from windows, skylights and glass doors."

Weather isn't just about thunderstorms and tornados. Air quality is a big part of weather events these days, too. Be on the lookout for air quality alerts in your area. If you have respiratory issues, you should wear a mask when out and about in bad air quality. You should also say inside if the air quality is especially bad.

Even on a perfect weather day, if you're at the beach, there are risks. The NOAA states, "To stay safe, you need to stay aware of the weather, the ocean, tide, and what is going on around you." They add, "Storms, such as thunderstorms, tropical storms, and hurricanes far out at sea can create dangerous waves and currents at the beach, even on a sunny day!"