‘It’s gonna be a scorcher’
Near record-high heat in the 90s coming this weekend, far ahead of schedule
Bay Staters, it’s time to dust off those fans and A/C units as a “pretty intense” hot summer preview blasts into the region this weekend.
While the first 90-plus degree day of the year usually arrives here in June, much of Massachusetts will be seeing temperature readings in the 90s this weekend — several weeks ahead of schedule.
Temps could hit the mid90s, potentially smashing record highs across southern New England this weekend.
“It’s gonna be a scorcher,” said Torry Gaucher, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office. “It will be abnormally warm for this time of May, and record highs for Boston are definitely not out of the question at this point.”
Normally, the first 90plus degree day of the year in Boston is June 8.
Boston’s record high for Saturday, May 21, is 93 degrees set in 1921. Forecasters right now are forecasting a high of 88 for the city on Saturday, but that number has been creeping up.
The record high for Sunday, May 22, is also 93 degrees set in 1959. The forecast for Sunday is 90 degrees. “We’ll be keeping a close eye on the model guidance as we get closer to the weekend,” Gaucher said. “It’s something we’ll be watching closely.”
It’s expected to be a few degrees warmer across the interior of the state.
Worcester will be in record-breaking territory this weekend. The record for Saturday is 88 degrees set in 1975, and the forecast is 91 degrees.
Sunday’s record high for Worcester is 90 degrees set in 1992, which is the exact forecast for Sunday.
“Hot air will be coming up from the Southwest at full blast ahead,” said Paul Pastelok, an AccuWeather senior meteorologist and lead long range forecaster. “A lot of hot air will be getting pulled up and zipping on east.
“Starting now, people should be putting in A/Cs and fans because it’s going to be pretty intense for a few days,” he added.
The region won’t have an official heat wave, which is three straight days of 90plus. That’s because a cold front will come through on Sunday night, bringing showers and scattered thunderstorms. Temps should drop into the seasonable 70s on Monday.
“It will give everybody a break,” Gaucher said.
Coastal locations will be much cooler in the 70s over the weekend.
“People looking to escape the heat could head to the South Coast, and the Cape and Islands,” Gaucher said.
Those who head outside into the 90-degree heat this weekend should make sure they’re staying hydrated, Gaucher said. Anyone who exercises outside should schedule their activity for early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s a bit cooler.
Gaucher added, “For people working outside, they should hopefully find some shade available to cool down their body temp.”