High heat spurs early dismissals

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A National Weather Service heat advisory prompted Hollidaysburg Area School District to send students home early on Tuesday as dense, humid weather blankets Blair County.

Senior high students were let out at 12:30 p.m., while junior high students and elementary school students were released at 12:40 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.

District officials notified parents and staff Tuesday afternoon that students would also be dismissed today at the same times in anticipation of more extreme heat.

The region is under a heat advisory until 8 p.m. today where temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees before cooling to the upper 70s on Thursday, according to a NWS forecast published Tuesday morning.

This surge of hot weather is caused by a layer of dense, humid air above the Tennessee Valley that is pushing warm air northeast toward Pennsylvania, according to NWS meteorologist Bill Gartner.

While the weather has been dry immediately prior to the current hot spell, scattered showers and thunderstorms may come toward the end of the week, he said.

"It's not unexpected at all in the dog days of late summer, this happens every year," Gartner said.

Local residents are advised to stay hydrated, wear light clothing and take precautions for outdoor activity, Gartner said.

Mirror Staff Writer Conner Goetz is at 814-946-7535.