Hot and Humid Thursday

Temperatures near 90 and dew points in the mid 60's will give the region its first true summer air mass.  Thunderstorms last night announced the arrival of this air mass which is somewhat unusual as the majority of the time strong thunderstorms signal relief to heat.  Take a look at the radar image I saved from last night

NWS Boston Radar 904 PM

The storm dropped between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain 

NWS Boston Radar Storm Total 5/29/13

Wind damage was also common across Western MA

SPC preliminary storm reports 5/29/13

The boundary has lifted North through New England as the upper level shortwave has passed.  Here is the surface chart

WPC surface analysis 630 am

Temperatures as of 5 am were in the low 60's across Southern New England

2 m temps 5 am (image weatherbell)

Temperatures will be in the 70's by 9 am and low 80's by lunch.  Some will hit 90 this afternoon, others will be close.  With dew points in the 60's it will feel like 90 regardless

06z NAM hires 2 m temps 4 pm (image weatherbell)

Ridging is present at the 500 mb level

06z NAM 500 mb heights 2 pm (image weatherbell)

A pop up shower or thunderstorm will be possible today.  There isn't a true trigger for thunderstorms like a front or a trough but with an air mass like this it will not be impossible to see something fire.  We can repeat this forecast Friday and Saturday.  Sunday looks dry but will have to monitor the speed of an incoming cold front Sunday/Monday.  Have a good day stay hydrated.