11
“Feels-Like 100s: Extreme Heat & Humidity Slam Boston”
This Week’s Weather: A Scorcher Is Coming!
What’s Happening This Week?
Happy Monday, everyone! Let’s talk about the weather this week. The good news? Today is actually pretty nice! The bad news? Things are about to get really, really hot later this week. Let’s break it all down day by day so you know exactly what to expect.
Today (Monday) — Enjoy It While It Lasts!
Today is a beautiful day! Here’s what’s going on:
- Warm temperatures with lower humidity, so it feels comfortable outside
- Evening temperatures will hang out in the 70s
- Overnight lows will drop to the low 600s
- Skies will be mostly clear overnight
Pro Tip: Get outside and enjoy today’s weather! It’s going to be one of the nicer days this week.
Tuesday — Still Dry, But Getting Warmer
Tuesday is your last "normal" day for a while. Here’s the forecast:
- Morning will be bright and sunny
- Afternoon clouds will roll in, but it stays dry
- Inland areas will get very warm, near 90°F
- Coastal areas will be a bit cooler, staying in the 80s
So Tuesday is still manageable — but things are about to take a serious turn.
Wednesday — The Extreme Heat Begins
Here’s where things get serious. The National Weather Service in Boston has issued an extreme heat watch for Wednesday. That means the combination of high heat and high humidity will create dangerously hot conditions.
Here’s what to expect:
- Morning starts in the upper 60s with partly sunny skies
- High temperatures will jump to the upper 90s
- Dew points (a measure of humidity) will be in the 70s
- Feels-like temperature will be well over 100°F
Important: An extreme heat watch means the weather could be dangerous to your health. This is not just "a hot day" — it’s the kind of heat that can make people very sick if they’re not careful.
Thursday — The Worst Day of the Week
If Wednesday is bad, Thursday is even worse. Here’s why:
- No morning relief — temperatures will already be in the 70s when you wake up
- No nighttime relief — overnight lows stay in the 70s again
- Actual air temperatures will skyrocket into the 100s
- Feels-like temperatures will reach more than 105°F
This means your body won’t get a break from the heat — not during the day AND not at night. That’s what makes this so dangerous.
Friday — The Heat Continues
Don’t think the weekend is coming to the rescue just yet. Friday is still extremely hot:
- Morning starts in the 70s again
- Highs reach the low 100s
- Dew points remain extremely high in the 70s
- Feels-like temperatures will be over 105°F in some areas
- There’s also a chance of an isolated thunderstorm
Fourth of July Weekend — Still a Scorcher
Planning to celebrate the Fourth of July? Here’s what you’re dealing with:
- Saturday (4th of July): Highs in the upper 90s with a chance for isolated storms in the afternoon and evening
- Sunday: We "cool down" to the low 90s (still very hot!) with another chance for isolated storms
- Monday: Finally, things look drier and cooler with temperatures in the 80s
Summary
| Day | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Monday | Warm and pleasant — enjoy it! |
| Tuesday | Dry but warming up, especially inland |
| Wednesday | Extreme heat begins — feels like 100°F+ |
| Thursday | The worst day — actual temps in the 100s, feels like 105°F+ |
| Friday | Extreme heat continues, possible isolated storm |
| Saturday (4th) | Still scorching — upper 90s with storm chances |
| Sunday | Slightly "cooler" — low 90s |
| Monday | Finally drier and cooler in the 80s |
Key Takeaway: Wednesday through Saturday will feature dangerous, extreme heat. Take it seriously! Stay hydrated, stay indoors during the hottest parts of the day, and check on elderly neighbors and pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a "heat index" or "feels-like temperature"?
A: The heat index is what the temperature feels like to your body when you combine the actual air temperature with humidity. When the air is very humid, your sweat doesn’t evaporate as well, so your body can’t cool itself down. That’s why a 95°F day with high humidity can feel like 105°F or more!
Q: What is an "extreme heat watch"?
A: It’s a warning from the National Weather Service that dangerously hot conditions are expected. It means you should prepare now — drink plenty of water, limit time outdoors, and have a plan to stay cool.
Q: Why is it dangerous if nighttime temperatures stay in the 70s?
A: Your body needs a break from the heat to recover. When nighttime temperatures stay high, your body never gets that relief. This is one of the things that makes extended heat waves so dangerous, especially for older adults and people with health conditions.
Q: What are "dew points" and why do they matter?
A: Dew point is a way to measure how much moisture is in the air. When dew points are in the 70s, the air feels very sticky and humid. The higher the dew point, the harder it is for your body to cool itself through sweating.
Q: When will this heat wave end?
A: The worst of the heat runs from Wednesday through Saturday. Sunday will be slightly cooler, and by next Monday, temperatures should return to the much more comfortable 80s. Stay tuned for updates!
