Afternoon temperatures can reach into the 90s in the region, with heat index readings as high as 100 degrees possible, said DailyExpertNews meteorologist Haley Brink — about 15 to 25 degrees above normal for this time of year.
The National Weather Service has forecast that Boston could see a high of 96 degrees on Sunday. The daily record for the day is 93 degrees, while the monthly record for May is 97 degrees, set back to May 26, 1880.
Boston’s records are held at Logan International Airport, which is right on the ocean, so those temperatures tend to be milder than temperatures further inland. And if the sea breeze picks up in the right direction, temperatures at the airport could hit record highs.
“We’re definitely a little ahead of schedule,” said Matthew Belk, a meteorologist at the Boston Weather Bureau. “The average first day of 90 degrees in Boston is June 8. It’s a little earlier if you head towards Hartford, Connecticut; May 30 is generally the average first day of 90 degrees.”
However, Sunday will be the last day of extreme heat for a while as a cold front is expected to push into the region tonight, bringing strong to severe storms and cooler temperatures.
A severe thunderstorm was in effect for parts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia until 9 p.m. ET, according to the Storm Prediction Center.
Thunderstorms began developing from western Virginia into central New York on Sunday afternoon. The storms were expected to move slowly eastward, risking locally damaging gusts of wind up to 70 mph and hail the size of ping pong balls.
The early season heatwave this weekend is all due to high pressure off the east coast, resulting in southerly winds pushing warm and humid air across the northeast — bringing temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal for this time of the year. year.
Records were also set in Richmond, Virginia, at 95 degrees and Hagerstown, Maryland, at 91 degrees Saturday, and records were broken in Philadelphia and at Dulles International Airport at 95 and 92 degrees, respectively, according to weather service data.
Half of the population feels the heat
Nearly 170 million people, about 52% of the population of the Lower 48, are said to feel 90-degree heat this weekend.
New York City is forecast to reach 90, Philadelphia 92, Baltimore 91 and Washington, DC, 93 on Sunday, the weather service said.
“More than half of the U.S. population will see temperatures of 90 degrees or more this weekend, and it’s only May,” said DailyExpertNews meteorologist Pedram Javaheri.
For some areas, it’s not just the heat, but also the humidity that brings “feels-like” temperatures into the triple digits.
“With many outdoor events scheduled in the region this weekend, be mindful of the heat and take extra precautions if you are working or spending time outdoors this weekend,” the Baltimore/Washington Weather Bureau said.
Heat up a ‘sneaky killer’
While the calendar may not say it’s summer yet, Mother Nature has other plans, so it’s important to be aware of the health risks associated with this heat wave. For example, never leave children or animals in a hot car. Ever.
“Since this will be the first heat wave of the year, it is important to be well informed and to ensure that you are aware of any heat illness or heat stroke-related symptoms and that you are taking extra care and taking extra water with you.” hand to combat that and the importance of shadow,” said Aaron Swiggett, a meteorologist with the weather bureau in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Swiggett also pointed out that the predicted temperatures are actually for the shade, not direct sunlight. So keep in mind that your expected high temperature in direct sun will feel even hotter.
Skeen stressed the importance of taking the heat seriously.
“Make sure you get hydrated, stay in the shade, and get out of the sun if possible,” Skeen said. “And keep an eye on people in your life who are more susceptible to heat, such as the young and the elderly and those who may be at risk.”
The good news is that the heat wave will be short-lived. Once the cold front moves through the east coast on Monday, temperatures in the northeast and mid-Atlantic will dip back into the 60s and 70s.
