Surge of summerlike heat is on the way. Here’s how hot it will get in New England.
Some inland areas could top off at 90 on Wednesday and Thursday if we get enough sunshine and a cold front slows down.
The heat is on this week in New England — with lots of sunshine after this past weekend’s damp and overcast weather. An onshore flow kept us predominantly cooler than average last week. But that is about to radically change as the pattern completely flips.
Monday kicks off a beautiful, dry week that will send temps soaring well into the 80s starting Tuesday as three days of midsummer heat arrive.
Any clouds this morning will quickly clear, leaving us with mostly sunny skies. Coastal locations will be the last to clear. Temperatures will reach near 70 degrees along the water and into the 70s inland. This will be the most comfortable day this week if you don’t like the heat.
Then, watch out: Come Tuesday temperatures will climb into the upper 80s in the Boston area and remain quite warm through at least Thursday. Some inland areas could top off at 90 on Wednesday and Thursday if we get enough sunshine and a cold front slows down. Mainly all three days will be mostly sunny throughout.
I don’t think Boston itself is going to hit 90 degrees this week. The average for Logan International Airport to reach that mark is June 8. Last year we had to wait until mid-July to hit 90.
Could we break any records? Not likely. The record high for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (May 21-23) in the Boston area is 93 degrees — set on May 21, 1921; May 22, 1959; and May 23, 1964, respectively. It hit 90 degrees as recently as May 23, 2021.
If you are wondering about humidity, it will be dry on Monday and Tuesday, but the humidity becomes high enough for the air conditioners to be needed by midweek. Dew points are forecast to get well into the 60s at that time, making the air somewhat muggy.
This rush of May heat is the result of high pressure offshore that’s ushering in a southwesterly flow of air. This time of the year it’s already getting quite hot to the south, and it doesn’t take much to bring that heat into New England.
We will see a cold front move through later this week with a few showers and even the rumble of thunder. The front will put an end to the heat, but we will not cool off too drastically. Rather, temperatures will just be more typical for this time of year, and it does look like it should be a fairly nice weekend.
Monday’s breakdown
Southern New England: Clouds will give way to sunshine Monday with temperatures near 70 at the coast and a little warmer inland. Lows will be in the 60s.
Western New England: It will be in the 70s with plenty of sunshine for Monday. Lows will be in the 60s.
Cape Cod and the Islands: The place to beat the heat this week will be on Cape Cod. Temperatures will be in the 60s for Monday and approach 70 the rest of the week along with mostly sunny skies.
Northern New England: Sunshine will be evident much of the week. Temperatures will be approaching 70 on Monday. Lows will be in the 50s and low 60s.
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