The Heat Is On Again!
Well, it was nice while it lasted. But right now we are in the beginning stages of a prolonged hot spell which will last right through next Wednesday. So cowboy up people! Typical hot and humid summer time weather will be sticking around for a while. Temperatures will be falling short of record breaking heat, but it will still be the kind of airmass where we need to take time to stay cool throughout the day by drinking water, seeking AC or jumping in the pool or ocean. You know the drill.
Weak high pressure sits over us this Friday morning with sunny skies and light SW winds. Temperatures will be quickly climbing into the 80's by midday and lwr 90's inland this afternoon. The hot spot today will be SNH and the Merrimack Valley where highs will be around 92-94 degrees this afternoon. Winds will be light enough that a weak sea breeze may try to shift in this afternoon, but that is not an automatic. Eastern facing beaches will still be in the upper 80's to near 90 today...a definite warmer feel from yesterday. SW winds will be enough to make it cooler in the lwr-mid 80's for south facing beaches. The good news is dewpoints will mostly be holding in the Lwr 60's so it will not be oppressively humid...which can so add to the discomfort.
Air Quality Alert until 11 PM due to increased amounts of ground level ozone which could make it a tough day for those who suffer from respiratory problems. Also, there is smoke in the air today from wildfires in Alberta and bristish Columbia which has arrived an is currently sitting over S. VT and S. NH making for a hazy sky.
Ocean temps are still mainly in the 6o's to near 70, but RI Buzz Bay and Ct are seeing water temps spiking to 70-75 degrees. The water is wonderful for cooling and swimming no matter where you are.
We are going to have to watch high-mid level clouds south of us which will be steered by upper level winds into New England tonight through early tomorrow. There is a vortmax which will be crossing through SNE in the early morning hours providing enough lift for some lingering morning clouds to start the weekend. Sunshine should be on the increase by afternoon. Hazy & Hot.
High pressure remains in place Saturday for another dry but hot day. A slow moving stationary front will still lie south of New England.Highs Saturday will range in the Lwr 90's with dewpoints still remaining in the Lwr 60's. A great beach day...but again, the heat and moderate humidity will be building in our homes as each day passes so AC's will be full at work this weekend.
By Sunday, the stalled front will be heading north as a warm front. This will bring in increasing cloudiness and increasing humidity. Clouds will slow the warming, but temps will still be running 85-90. The increased moisture in the air will make it feel 90+. A more uncomfortable day with an increased risk for scattered showers and thunderstorms by afternoon and early evening. These storms could contain some heavy downpours. Once the cold front pushes off the coast Sunday night, this is where the heat and humidity get ready to surge right back into New England!
Building high pressure with West winds Monday and Tuesday will provide hazy sunshine..but you will notice the airmass being a bit more stifling. Highs Monday Through Wednesday will range from 90-98 degrees. Dewpoints will be in the Lwr 70's with the oppressive humidity in place. Not very nice in a more intense heat and humidity. A cold front will be pushing through Wednesday afternoon which will finally break the heat wave. Highs will still be holding in the Lwr 90's through midweek. Scattered PM T'storms will push through Wednesday with drier cooler, and less humid air to follow for the end of next week with temps falling to 80-85. Welcome relief. I wish I had better news for the heat haters in the crowd, but it is summer and this is what happens sometimes...just like we have cold snaps in winter...Pick your poison. Advice: Bring a cooler filled with cold drinks, snacks and an umbrella to the beach and tell me which you prefer. Winter or Summer? Both have the extremes...You just have to make the best of the card nature is dealing.