Although we had a reprieve earlier in the week from the heat, Friday into early next week will put many in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast back into a heatwave. Starting with Friday, humidity levels will be increasing ahead of a front pressing in from the northwest. Many from DC to NYC will see temperatures in the 90 - 95 degree range with heat indices nearing 100. The front will also provide the risk of a few strong to even severe storms erupting late in the day and into the first half of the night, especially over New England. This front will likely "hang up" across the Mid-Atlantic, so Saturday is not expected to be any cooler. In fact, it will likely be one of the hottest days of the heatwave with temperatures in the mid to even upper 90s in spots and heat index values soaring well into the 100s from NYC into the Virginia Tidewater (read this for tips on staying cool).
Heat index values for Saturday at 2 PM modeled by the Euro. Image from StormVista.
A few storms may also be around Saturday, but they will likely be relegated to northern New England in association with an upper level disturbance and portions of Virginia and Maryland where the stalled front remains. On Sunday, temperatures will again reach the 90s, but with lower humidity, heat index values will not be as high (unless you live in VA). Sunday should remain dry, but things change on Monday as another front returns. Once again, moisture will surge ahead of the front with hot, sticky conditions returning. Monday's front will also bring another risk of thunderstorms, but the timing and strength of the storms is still uncertain. Is there relief beyond Monday? Not much, as temperatures will still be near or even above 90 in the Mid-Atlantic. Need a break from the heat? Head to New England, as Boston will drop into the mid 80s.
Wondering about drought? Well much of the Northeast is abnormally dry with even portions of western NY and New England under severe drought conditions. Unfortunately, the scattered storms on Friday, Saturday and Monday won't significantly impact the dry conditions much and this drought will likely get a bit worse as we head into late summer.
Current drought conditions in the Northeast courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center.
