The hottest weather of the summer is poised to swelter many areas of the mid-Atlantic, central Appalachians and southwestern and central New England late this weekend to the first part of next week. In addition to heat advisories being in effect across the Midwest, excessive heat watches were issued for Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
A portion of the same weather system, a large area of high pressure, that has been building and broiling the south-central United States much of this week will poke northeastward.
Actual temperatures are forecast to rise well into the 90s F from portions of Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York state, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, West Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
A few locations over the mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley can reach or exceed 100 degrees for a couple of hours in the afternoon on Sunday and Monday.
It will be so hot across the contiguous United States that the average high temperature will be more than 90 F on Saturday, according to Ryan Maue, meteorologist and data scientist at Bamwx.com.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be several degrees higher than the actual temperature. The RealFeel Temperature not only takes into consideration the temperature and humidity but also sunshine, any breeze and other factors that provide a true representation of how hot the air feels on the human body.
Daily records that have stood since the 1930s and even near the turn of the 20th century will be challenged.
In Washington, D.C., and Cleveland, the records of 102 and 95, respectively, on Sunday were set in 1930. Farther north, in Albany, New York, Sunday’s record of 97 was set all the way back in 1904.
In Philadelphia and Baltimore, the records on Monday of 99 and 102, respectively, were also set in 1930.
A heat wave is generally defined as a stretch of 90-degree-Fahrenheit (or higher) temperatures for at least three days in a row over the northern U.S.
The conditions may cause some cities to be dangerously hot around the clock for a several-day stretch. This phenomenon, known as the ‘urban heat island effect,’ comes into play as the concrete and brick buildings begin to finally cool near daybreak, just as the new day will be getting underway.
