Summer Sizzler Heads for the East, Midwest

The summertime furnace will be blazing for much of the country starting on Thursday, and it’s likely to continue for at least the next week.
 
The East Coast will get a preview of hot and humid weather tomorrow as Bermuda high pressure sits off the coast while a cold front marches east from the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. After several days of gloomy weather with highs in the 70s and lower 80s, the mercury will soar.
 
Philadelphia is likely to top out around 93 degrees, while New York climbs to 91 degrees. Boston and Richmond, Va., will see highs right around 95 degrees. The recent spate of heavy rainfall will help produce tropical-like humidity making these readings feel more like 100-105 degrees. The metro Philadelphia area, the Hudson Valley in New York and much of central and eastern New England are under Heat Advisories.
 
Meanwhile, a much stronger upper-level ridge will build into the Plains starting Friday, likely to remain in place for the weekend. The Twin Cities will see temperatures in the middle 90s this weekend, as will Chicago and St. Louis. While the northern Plains will see some relief on Sunday, these 90-degree temperatures will continue into the new work week across the Mid-Mississippi Valley. Already, Extreme Heat Watches and Heat Advisories stretch from northeastern Colorado and central Nebraska across Iowa and most of Minnesota. Additional watches are expected as the weekend approaches.
 
As previously mentioned, this heat wave is only a preview for the East Coast. The weekend will feature a brief respite from the heat and humidity, but as the ridge expands eastward, this part of the country will be privy to searing heat. Widespread middle and upper 90s are expected from southern New England into the Mid-Atlantic and Carolinas starting Sunday and lasting through most of next week. A few spots near the major cities will flirt with or cross the century mark each day.
 
The high humidity means that even the nights won’t feature much relief, with lows only dropping to 75 to 80 degrees. Coupled with the infamous humidity, the air during the daytime will feel more like 103 to as much as 110 degrees.
 
Throughout the eastern two-thirds of the country, be sure to practice heat safety. Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic drinks to remain hydrated. Check on pets and the elderly to ensure that they have a cool spot to rest. Perhaps most importantly, do not leave children in the car, even for just a few minutes. With the windows closed, a vehicle’s temperature can increase to 130 to 140 degrees, enough to cause heat stroke and death in less than 20 to 30 minutes.