The heat is on! It's a hot start to summer in Berks County.

From the city streets of Reading to area pools, everyone looked for ways to deal with near triple digit temperatures on Wednesday.

The haze hung over Reading as the heat and humidity pushed temperatures into the middle and upper 90s.

People who ventured out onto Penn Street were armed with water bottles, while others stopped for water ice to stay cool. It's the hottest air of the season, and not the day to walk to work.

"It's been hot and sweaty. I feel gross right now, but it's what I have to do," said Cherise Key, who walked to work at the VF Outlets in Wyomissing.

For many, they lathered on the lotion and tried to beat the heat lying out by the Schlegel Park Pool in Reading.

"It's scorching hot, very hot," said Arelis Lentini, who had the day off and took her two daughters to the pool.

"When it said 90-something on the TV, I was like, 'It's pool weather. Let's go," laughed Zyirah Smith. "I'm a summer baby."

The signs of summer have arrived, although some people hope this high heat hits the road and normal temperatures return.

"It better go away. That's what I'm saying. It's way too hot. I don't like being outside in the heat," said Luis Santiago.

"It's OK. It's happened before, so we'll just get over it as long as the pool is open," said Lentini.

Reading issued a heat advisory beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday and lasting until 8 p.m. Thursday. This kind of weather is dangerous for the elderly, young children and anyone with respiratory problems. City officials warned them to stay indoors in the air conditioning.

Anyone with a non-emergency heat issue, like being transported to a cooler facility, can call 610-655-6671.