Intense Blast of Heat Coming to New England Later This Week

2023-05-30

New England is currently on a major warming trend. An official heat wave does not look likely at this time as 90 degree temps look to be confined to two days across the region. An official heat wave in New England occurs when the high temperature hits 90 degrees for at least three consecutive days. Regardless of a heat wave, Thursday and Friday will be scorching.

WEDNESDAY

Heat will begin really building up on Wednesday afternoon for most as a deep ridge of high pressure settles in southern New England. The entire region away from the immediate coast will shoot into the 80s, with upper 80s possible across northern Maine.

Deep high pressure settles into southern New England:

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High pressure continues to hold firm in New England.Photo byECMWF/Meteored

Wednesday will be significantly cooler at the coast thanks to a continued onshore flow. Highs at many of New England's beaches will likely struggle to get into the 70s. This sea breeze will be confined to the immediate coast, you will not have to go very far inland to reach the 80s.

THURSDAY

Thursday will be the hottest day for many across New England, particularly northern New England. There will likely be widespread 90 degree readings across New England, from Connecticut all the way up to the Canadian border in northern Maine. Areas of the Berkshires, northern Vermont and northern New Hampshire will likely be a touch cooler, but a touch cooler is still in the mid to upper 80s.

The coast will again be significantly cooler in the afternoon. This is mainly thanks due to very calm winds. This weak wind will allow the sea breeze to come right off the ocean into the beaches. Still, these areas will see temps in the upper 70s to low 80s. Humidity will also be on the increase across the region.

There is a chance for daily record highs to topple across New England. Highs are forecast to reach, or get within two degrees of records in Concord, NH; Augusta, ME; Fort Kent, ME; Van Buren, ME; Houlton, ME and Millinocket, ME. Six climate observation points across Vermont are also forecast to get within reach of new records.

FRIDAY

Friday will be a near repeat of Thursday for most, the exception being northern Maine. Northern Maine will not see a heat wave as a cold front drops through the region before afternoon heating can occur. Highs here will top out only in the 70s. Record warm low temperatures are possible in northern Maine, though.

For the rest of New England, the cold front won't arrive before afternoon temperatures soar into the mid 80s and low 90s once again. Friday will see a better chance for southern New England to see records. Daily record highs could be set in Hartford, CT; Springfield, MA; Worcester, MA and Pittsfield, MA.

As mentioned before, a cold front (specifically a backdoor cold front) will cross New England during the day. This front will cross northern New England around midday Friday after crossing northern Maine in the morning. Central New England will likely see the front in the afternoon while southern New England will see it cross in the evening.

This front will likely pop a line of showers and thunderstorms. As has been the case with cold fronts this spring, chances are highest for storms across the northern tier. These chances drop off as you get into southern New England as the front will likely pass through after peak daytime heating has diminished, leading to less fuel for the storms.

Storm Prediction Center showing a chance for thunderstorms across northern New England, no severe storms are expected:

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SPC guidance for thunderstorms on Friday.Photo byStorm Prediction Center

WEEKEND

This is a rather strong cold front that will bring relief from the heat to New England. The region will go from record breaking highs on Thursday and Friday to below average temperatures on Saturday. Some areas will see highs 20-30 degrees cooler on Saturday than on Friday! Sunday will warm up slightly, but only to seasonable, which is generally the low 70s this time of year.

https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1IcjWx_0mfE6PzK00
Difference in highs from Friday to SaturdayPhoto byNew England Storm Center

Sources: National Weather Service, Weather Models, Storm Prediction Center

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