Dangerously high heat, with “feels-like” temperatures above 100 degrees in some areas, will continue throughout Wednesday, the second day of a heat wave projected to last through Thursday across the state, meteorologists said.
As communities and organizations prepared to mark the Juneteenth holiday, cities from Boston to Pittsfield braced for air temperatures well into the 90s.
The National Weather Service warned the scorching temperatures and thick humidity may cause heat illnesses, such as heat stroke, and advised the public to “drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
On social media, the weather service explained that the heat wave’s early season arrival in mid-June, the persistence of scorching temperatures across multiple days, and overall light winds would “increase the danger of this heat beyond what the exact temperature values would suggest.”
The cool waters of the Atlantic Ocean attract a crowd to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)AP
In Massachusetts, a heat wave is considered to be three consecutive days above 90 degrees.
This heat wave is expected to peak Thursday, with projected temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s in many areas, the weather service said.
On Tuesday, temperatures climbed above 90 degrees in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and other cities across southern New England. The weather service said Bradley Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, tied its June 18 record of 95 degrees.
A heat advisory is in effect across the entirety of Massachusetts and much of Connecticut and Rhode Island through 7 p.m. Thursday. Weather service forecasters projected feels like temperatures to reach 95 to 103 degrees in the hottest areas.
In Springfield, other parts of the southern Pioneer Valley and northern Connecticut, the heat advisory was extended to 7 p.m. Friday.
A heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service is in effect across all of Massachusetts, and much of Connecticut and Rhode Island, through at least 7 p.m. Thursday. It extends to Friday evening in some areas of Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut.National Weather Service
The weather service said most areas of Massachusetts would not see rain Wednesday, with the possible exception of a brief afternoon shower or thunderstorm in northern Massachusetts.
Temperatures will be somewhat cooler along the state’s south coast and Cape Cod. New Bedford, Hyannis and Provincetown were expected to reach around 80 degrees Wednesday.
The weather service said relief for eastern Massachusetts would come Friday with a return to “more seasonable temperatures,” falling humidity and possible storms.
In parts of Western Massachusetts and Connecticut, temperatures Friday may still hit 90 degrees alongside rain.
