A heat wave expected to grip the Northeast this week begins today, according to an AccuWeather meteorologist.

“Today may be the best day of the week,” Tom Kines, noting that today will be in the 80s, not overly humid and with lots of sunshine. “Most people will tolerate today.”

Higher temperatures in the low 90s begin on Tuesday and the humidity will increase, he said. The rest of the week will bring more of the same with sunshine during the day and temperatures in the low to mid 90s, Kines said.

However, the temperature will feel five to 10 degrees warmer, he said.

“Some of these days, it’s going to feel like it’s over 100,” Kines said.

A heat advisory remains in effect from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday with heat index values of up to 99 degrees, and an excessive heat watch remains in effect from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening.

An excessive heat watch calls for dangerously hot conditions with heat values of up to 105 degrees possible.

Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events, and people should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun and check on relatives and neighbors.

Peaceful Knights Inc. on North First Street in Lehighton will keep its men’s emergency shelter open 24/7 beginning Tuesday through the end of the heat wave.

Family Promise of Carbon County, which is doing work on its church building, welcomes people in need of relief from the heat to come its rectory building during the day, said Cathy Lamm, executive director.

“Take it easy, and don’t overexert yourself,” Kines said, adding that he feels for construction workers and other who must work outside this week. “It’s not going to be a good week for them.”

This week will also be dry, he said. People will likely need to be watering plants and lawns daily, Kines said.

There is a slight chance of a pop-up thunderstorm around Wednesday, but they will be few and far between, he said.

“Most people won’t see them,” Kines said.

The hot weather continues through Sunday with the first break from the heat wave coming Monday, when the high temperature will be 87 degrees with a shower or thunderstorms.

The forecast for today is very warm and humid with a high of 87 degrees with a low around 65 degrees.

Tuesday calls for a high of 91 degrees with mostly sunny and hot conditions and continued humidity, and low of 62 degrees. Wednesday will be hot with a high of 90 degrees and low of 66 degrees.

Temperatures will climb to 93 degrees on Thursday under mostly sunny skies and continued heat during a day. Low temperature will be 68 degrees.

Friday is expected to be very hot with a high of 95 degrees, and the heat will continue into the weekend. Saturday will be hot with clouds and sun with a high of 93 degrees, and Sunday will be hot and humid with a high of 90 degrees. All three nights, Friday through Sunday, will be warm and humid and have temperatures of 70 degrees.