Heat Advisory Until 6 PM

A Heat Advisory has been issued until 6 PM for inland areas away from the coast.  The Merrimack, Connecticut and Blackstone River valley's are all included in this.

NWS Boston headlines/hazards 

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TAUNTON HAS ISSUED A HEAT
ADVISORY...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM EDT THIS EVENING.

* LOCATION...NORTHEAST CONNECTICUT...NORTHERNMOST RHODE ISLAND...
  AND MUCH OF INTERIOR EASTER MASSACHUSETTS

* HEAT INDEX VALUES...95 TO 100... DUE TO TEMPERATURES IN THE
  LOWER TO MID 90S AND DEWPOINTS 65 TO 70.

* TIMING...THIS AFTERNOON.

* IMPACTS...HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES WILL BE POSSIBLE WITH
  OVEREXERTION...ESPECIALLY IN THE SUN.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A HEAT ADVISORY MEANS THAT A PERIOD OF HOT TEMPERATURES IS
EXPECTED. THE COMBINATION OF HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY
WILL COMBINE TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH HEAT ILLNESSES ARE
POSSIBLE. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS...STAY IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED
ROOM...STAY OUT OF THE SUN...AND CHECK UP ON RELATIVES AND
NEIGHBORS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS...IF YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN
POSSIBLE...RESCHEDULE STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR
EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT
STROKE. WEAR LIGHT WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN
POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY OF WATER.

TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK...THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY...CALL 9 1 1.

There is also a risk of severe thunderstorms to our west.  A severe thunderstorm watch has been posted for parts of NY/PA/NJ/CT.   

SPC severe thunderstorm watch

Wind gusts greater than 60 MPH is the biggest threat with these storms to go along with frequent lightning.  If you look at the graphic above you see two main lines of thunderstorms.  The first is getting ready to enter Berkshire County in MA and Litchfield/Fairfield counties in CT.    Most computer guidance takes these storms east south east into CT.  Areas east of Springfield and Hartford should see little from this cluster.  However given the available energy in SNE right now its possible it holds together a little longer than currently forecast.

The second line looks rather potent.  Using a future radar here are the storms at 7 PM

17z HRRR Simulated radar 7 PM (image Weatherbell)

It does weaken as it loses some instability.  Here is the line at 9 PM

17z HRRR Simulated radar 9 PM (image Weatherbell)

Finally by 11 PM its nearly off the coast and just a batch of showers as more stable ocean air does a number on the line.

17z HRRR Simulated radar 11 PM (image Weatherbell)

Bottom line- limit outdoor activities this afternoon and if you are outside when thunder roars head indoors.

-Zack Green