Dangerous, Life-Threatening Heat Persists Across Eastern U.S.

Another day of recording-breaking, dangerous heat is expected across much of the nation today, with the highest heat anticipated across the eastern states. 

The area of high pressure that has brought this dangerous heat wave to the east will start to weaken today but not before sending the mercury through the roof once again ahead of a sagging cold front. This front will help spawn isolated to scattered thunderstorms across parts of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic this afternoon and evening. 

Farther south, intense heat and humidity will continue over the next few days across the Southeast and the Deep South though daily showers and thunderstorms will bring some minimal relief each afternoon and evening through the end of the week.

Heat Advisories and Extreme Heat Warnings remain in effect from the Middle and Lower Mississippi valleys to the Atlantic beaches from Massachusetts to the Carolinas, excluding the Appalachian Spine. A combination of upper 80s and lower 90s to lower triple-digits and oodles of humidity will make it feel like 100 to 115 degrees today.

Providence, R.I., Hartford, Conn., Worcester, Mass., New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Richmond, Va., Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Birmingham, Ala., Jackson, Miss., Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., Cincinnati, and St. Louis are included in these heat-related advisories or warnings today.

A few cities will challenge their record high temperatures for the date. In Baltimore, the record of 99 degrees set in 1997 will be challenged. In Philadelphia, today's record high of 98 degrees, set in 1952, will come close to being broken. 

The crux of the heat will move southwest on Thursday and Friday, blanketing the southern Mid-Atlantic states and Carolinas into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Although a tick cooler than previous days, widespread upper 80s to middle and upper 90s combined with humidity will create dangerous weather conditions each day.

Meanwhile, daily, even all-time June record highs were blown away across parts of New England on Tuesday. Portland, Maine, soared to 99 degrees, easily beating its old record high of 93 degrees set last in 1976. Tuesday’s high also surpassed the previous monthly record of 98 degrees, set on June 28, 1991. Similarly, Concord, N.H., trucked Tuesday's record high of 96 degrees set last in 1870, and a single degree shy of the all-time monthly high, climbing to 100 degrees today.

The list of record heat doesn’t end there. Topping out at a scorching 102 degrees during the afternoon on Tuesday, Manchester, N.H., crushed an old record high of 95 degrees set last in 2013. The 102 degrees is also an all-time June record high.

Boston and Providence, R.I., cruised to new record highs, climbing to 102 and 100 degrees, respectively. Hartford, Conn., and Worcester, Mass., also entered record territory, peaking at 99 and 95 degrees. It is more of the same shenanigans farther south, which includes the city of Brotherly Love clocking in at 101 degrees on Tuesday. That broke a more than century old 99 degree record set last in 1923.

The laundry list of records continues in Atlantic City, N.J., where 102 degrees bested the old record of 99 degrees set last in 2010. Central Park, N.Y., New York’s JFK International Airport, Islip, and Newark, N.J., obliterated previous record highs, with the latter reaching a sizzling 103 degrees. This beat the old record of 97 degrees set last in 1966. New York’s JFK International Airport climbed to a dangerous 102 degrees, rocketing past its former record high of 97 degrees set last in 2010.

If you are in one of these areas experiencing unseasonably hot temperatures, it will be important to stay hydrated and cool. Avoid exposure to the sun from late morning into the early evening. Take frequent breaks in the air conditioning or shade. Eat and dress lightly. Use sun protection if outdoors. Never leave kids or pets unattended and remember to “Look Before You Lock!” Recognize the signs of heat-related illness.