A day after much of Massachusetts recorded its first 90-degree day of the year, temperatures and humidity are expected to moderate on Friday, National Weather Service forecasters say.
It will remain humid for the early part of the day, but a cold front moving offshore is expected to rapidly drop dewpoints, essentially the measure of how much moisture is in the air. The front will bring temperatures down from 90 to the mid to low 80s for what forecasters described as a “pretty nice close to the workweek.”
But on top of dropping temperatures, the front will bring high winds, with much of the Bay State under a wind advisory that warns of gusts up to 50 mph. Forecasters expect the gusting winds to peak between mid-morning and mid-afternoon, then ease later in the day.
The weather service expects a largely dry Saturday, but warned of the potential for thunderstorms to develop late Saturday into Sunday. Highs are expected to reach the mid-80s on Saturday and climb into the upper 80s or low 90s on Sunday.
Forecasters cautioned that the exact timing and force of the storms is not yet known.
“Outcomes range from increasingly warm and humid weather but generally dry throughout, to cloudier conditions and potential for rather potent thunderstorms, which could ensue at any point, even during the overnight to early morning hours,” they wrote.
What is clear, though, is that the early part of next week will feature oppressive heat and humidity.
High temperatures on Monday and Tuesday could approach 100 degrees, with heat indices, essentially the “feels-like” temperature, climbing to 105 to 110. The heat should peak Monday and Tuesday, but could stretch into Wednesday.
Cooler temperatures should arrive later in the week, on Wednesday or Thursday, forecasters wrote.
