2 More Sizzlers
Someone commented that my blog posted yesterday afternoon was over the top and dramatic. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. It was titled "torrid torrid torrid". Torrid means extremely hot. Isn' that what we are experiencing today? Anyway, we all have differing thoughts about everything especially the weather. Approaching my 34th year here at WBZ, I certainly know as well as anybody that it is absolutely impossible to please everybody with any forecast. For instance, I think that a beautiful sunny day with a few decorative puffy clouds with low humidity and a high of 78 degrees is close to perfection. While many would agree, others would say it is either not hot enough or too warm for comfort depending in large part on what they are doing . I prefer peaceful weather while others actually get excited about severe weather. The reality is that some people are more adversely vulnerable to certain types of weather than others. Prolonged stretches of oppressive humidity and extreme heat around 100 degrees and extreme cold near or below zero are prime examples. Not everyone is lucky enough to exist in an environment of air conditioning and not everyone is lucky enough to sufficiently heat their living quarters in the cold of winter. It becomes particularly acute for some when the air temperature exceeds the normal body temperature. The ability to cool the body becomes impaired. Similarly, during heat waves, a buildup of ground level ozone is a problem for those with respiratory ailments. Clearly, different types of weather affect people in different ways.
Based upon statistics compiled over many years, the highest average maximum and minimum temperatures of the year occur between July 14 and July 28. So it is rather fitting that extreme heat and humidity is occurring right now. In fact, the hottest day of the year, on average, is July 22 and I am still predicting a potential temperature of 101 degrees in Boston on that day which is tomorrow. I revealed that on my 7-Day AccuWeather Forecast last Sunday evening and it looks like it's still a decent call. Tomorrow's record high is 103 degrees set in 1926. The last time that the temperature reached 100 in Boston was last year on July 6. Prior to that, it hit 101 on August 14, 2002 then 102 on July 21, 1977 then 102 on August 2, 1975. The hottest day ever recorded in Boston occurred on July 4, 1911 at 104 degrees. A day before that, it was 103 and two days after that, it was 101!! UGH!
While it maxed out in the range of 93-99 across the region mainly west of a line from near Providence to near Boston, the temperatures only climbed to the upper 70s to middle 80s over much of Cape Cod and outer Cape Ann. There was a ventillating gusty wind and oppressive humidity everywhere with dew points in the range of 70-75. With a weak trough passing through later tonight and tomorrow morning, the wind direction will become more westerly. Consequently, it should be warmer on both Capes tomorrow with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Elsewhere, it should be broiling with highs of 97-102. The National Weather Service has issued an EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING for noon to 6pm. For at least 2 hours during that time period, it will feel like 105-109 degrees in the Boston area southwestward. Check this map. The humidity should decrease a few notches especially west of the I-95 corridor so the heat index might be a bit lower in the range of 102-104. Thus a HEAT ADVISORY is issued in that area. A minute drop in humidity is also possible over southeastern MA and Cape Cod. Once again, there will probably be some patchy fog and low clouds over Cape Cod starting off the morning as daybreak temperatures start out in the middle to upper 70s except about 81 in Boston. Despite the tropical air, there is a slim to zero risk of thunderstorms over most of the area through tomorrow night.
Looking ahead, the 3-H weather will linger through most of Saturday with highs in the 94-98 range except a bit cooler on Cape Cod. A cold front will be chugging into the northern mountains later in the afternoon triggering scattered thunderstorms. As the frontal boundary settles into southern New England during Saturday night, a few storms may occur. Following its passage, cooler and drier air will flow into the are on. In fact, the wind will likely blow in from the northeast to east resulting in upper 70s along the coast to the lower to middle 80s farther inland. It should be at least partly sunny. A weak bubble of high pressure will build in to provide refreshing air through Sunday night into Monday. The next feeble approaching disturbance will generate some showers and possible boomers late Monday into Tuesday. Presently, no extreme heat is anticipated for most of next week.
Good luck and be cool!
