Celebrating America & Summer Weather

Happy 4th of July!

It's going to be a great summer's day as we celebrate America with parades, road races, cookouts, parties, concerts and fireworks displays.

In this sticky air with high temperatures in the upper 80s, the weather should be cooperative for the most part as the sun shines through some feathery cloudiness this morning and is blotted out periodically by building puffy clouds this afternoon.

Check: Interactive Radar

Unfortunately, I cannot eliminate showers and boomers from the forecast due to the presence of moist, heated air and a weak secondary boundary wandering into the area. Any convection should not be widespread thanks to a layer of mid-level dry air.

Additionally, a weak wind field will inhibit severe storm development but isolated downpours and dangerous lightning cannot be ruled out. Most of this action should percolate between 3 and 7 pm.

If all goes well, we'll be in good shape for the evening concert and pyrotechnics in Boston and in other communities. If you are not near the Esplanade, you can watch the entire extravaganza exclusively on WBZ-TV.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Boston occurred on this date, July 4th, in 1911 when it reached 104 degrees.

In hindsight, it was 95 degrees on the 4th last year followed by 100 degrees on the 6th!

Beyond that, there were 8 more days that month when the temperature reached or exceeded 90 in Boston.

It turned out to be tied with the third hottest July on record.

Going forward, we'll experience no extremes just typical hot weather with temperatures nudging 90 in many locations through this Thursday then near or over 90 again next Monday and Tuesday.

The humidity will be high today, slightly lower tomorrow then high again later Wednesday and Thursday then much lower over the upcoming weekend.

The risk of showers and thunderstorms is relatively low today, near zero tomorrow, low late Wednesday, much higher on Thursday then zero over the weekend.

Sunshine will be quite prevalent tomorrow and Wednesday, limited on Thursday and Friday then unlimited next weekend.

The wind will be generally light under 15 mph through next weekend except on Thursday when a freshening breeze over 15 mph is probable.

High tides will be advancing through the week from just after 2pm today to just before 7pm on Saturday.

The ocean has warmed up to at least the middle 60s at most beaches while the lakes have warmed into the 70s.

May your 4th be safe and joyful!