A sweltering stretch of summer heat is on the way for parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, with forecasters warning of a potential heat wave hitting southern New England starting Tuesday and lasting through Friday.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston, a prolonged period of hot and humid weather is expected to build midweek, with heat index values—or “feels like” temperatures—likely climbing into the mid to upper 90s and potentially topping 100°F (38°C) by Wednesday or Thursday. Actual high temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s to low 90s (31–33°C) across much of the region.
To officially qualify as a heat wave, an area must see three straight days with high temperatures reaching at least 90°F (32°C). That threshold may be met in several inland locations as the week progresses.
The warm-up follows a relatively calm start to the week. Monday will bring seasonable warmth and moderate humidity, with dry conditions expected for most of the day. A frontal system arriving Monday evening, possibly after sunset, could trigger showers and scattered thunderstorms, though the severe wind threat looks limited at this time. The biggest concern with any storms Monday night will be heavy rainfall and the potential for localized flash flooding.
As the front moves out, temperatures and humidity will ramp up quickly, leading into what could be the most intense heat of the summer so far. Relief may come by Friday, when another cold front is expected to push through, bringing a renewed chance of showers and thunderstorms, and finally breaking the heat.
