In true summer-like fashion, daytime heating led to an unstable atmosphere and brought a few rounds of thunderstorms across parts of New England last night — though much of the activity stayed to the north and west of Boston. Wednesday ushers in another blast of heat that will intensify across Boston and likely result in the warmest day of the week as temperatures climb into the upper 80s. This week may not meet the textbook definition of a “heat wave” — three consecutive days of 90-degree weather or hotter — but it’s still going to feel quite hot outside, especially for May.
The rising temperatures have prompted an air quality alert all day and into the evening, covering most of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The alert means that the air will be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including those who suffer from lung or heart disease, older adults, and children, according to the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection.
Skies today will remain mostly sunny with a steady southwesterly flow drawing in a touch more moisture than yesterday, returning dew points to the low 60s, which can make the air feel a little heavy but not uncomfortable for most people. Also, the same front that has hammered the Midwest, Plains, and Mississippi Valley will push into the Northeast today, bringing a severe weather threat to upstate New York but should spare New England — mainly because the front won’t reach New England until the cooler overnight hours tonight. A few spot show.
