While this persistent heat surely can put a strain on the body and our New England electrical grid, there’s a reality that many New Englanders dream of weather just like this for Independence Day. That mid-summer dream has just become reality.
Highs are in the 90s regionwide on Tuesday, with some coastal communities sheltered from the heat. Temperatures in Boston reached 97 degrees on Tuesday afternoon, the hottest day since Aug. 12, 2016. Many other places in New England also passed 95.
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With the abundant heat and humidity comes lots of atmospheric moisture, ready to interact with a disturbance aloft to produce scattered downpours and thunderstorms in the southern half of New England. Those storms are expected by late Tuesday afternoon into the evening.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued around 2:30 p.m. for parts of southern Fairfield County in Connecticut but has since expired. There has been no word of any damage.
Though most communities will put the storms to bed before fireworks are launched, there is still the possibility we’ll find a few showers and storms floating around Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island around 9 p.m.
The Fourth of July holiday brings a lesser chance of showers and thunder; again focused during the afternoon but likely to be isolated or widely scattered instead.
Heat continues until the week’s end when a cold front marching from the northwest will deliver a period of rain and thunder. This marks the leading edge to new, fresh, comfortable and cool air for both weekend days. Heat appears ready to rebuild next week in our exclusive Early Warning Weather 10-day forecast.