The Northeast is preparing for a significant weather transition as midsummer heat and humidity are expected to replace the recent near-record cold temperatures. This shift will push feels-like temperatures close to triple digits before storms arrive this weekend.
Just days ago, on May 30, winter-like conditions were present, with New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington experiencing snow and high winds. A dry Canadian air mass brought large temperature swings, leading to record lows in some areas. However, this dry spell is rapidly evaporating ground moisture, with evaporation rates expected to increase as temperatures rise above average.
By Friday, the region will experience a noticeable increase in heat and humidity. Afternoon highs in the 80s are forecast for the interior Northeast, while cities along the Interstate 95 corridor, including New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., will see temperatures climb into the low to mid-90s. The heat wave is anticipated to last two to three days.
The combination of strong sunshine and light winds will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures close to 100 degrees on Friday, Saturday, and potentially Sunday along the mid-Atlantic I-95 corridor. Even New England will see a warmer, more humid trend from Friday to Saturday.
Overall, daytime temperatures this weekend will be 20 to 25 degrees higher across most of the region compared to the final weekend of May. This weekend is projected to be 30 to 40 degrees warmer in parts of the Northeast compared to Memorial Day weekend, which saw record-cold maximums.
The dry spell and early-season heat are expected to end over the weekend as a cold front moves through, bringing showers and thunderstorms. These storms will develop across the interior mid-Atlantic and New England before spreading southward and eastward.
The changing weather pattern could affect outdoor events, including the Belmont Stakes in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the area, posing a risk of heavy downpours and lightning delays for the final leg of horse racing’s Triple Crown. For the rain to hold off until after the race, the approaching cold front would need to slow down significantly.
Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.
