Heat Continues to Intensify This Weekend Throughout the Northeast

Posted: July 24, 2022 10:49 am

The heat wave in the Northeast is set to peak on Sunday before a cold front moves through and finally brings the mercury down. Over 160 million Americans are expected to be in the line of fire of temperatures of at least 100 degrees on Sunday. While this may not be atypical for areas across the south, the widespread heat in the Northeast is a bit of an anomaly.

Record-Breaking Heat in the Cards of Many in the Northeast

Temperatures across the region are approaching record levels over the week in many cities up and down the East Coast. Some areas have recorded readings in the triple digits for multiple days in a row. For instance, Newark, New Jersey has recorded four days in a row with readings above the century mark.

Officials in Allentown, Pennsylvania reported that a 73-year-old man died earlier in the week at the hands of the heat. According to the Lehigh County Coroner’s Officer, the man passed away as a result of excessive heat exposure. Officials continue to warn residents to drink plenty of water and seek shelter from the heat.

Much of the region will remain under a number of heat advisories through the rest of the weekend. For example, Philadelphia is under an excessive heat warning until Sunday evening. Cities to the north, including Boston, are under a heat advisory through 8 pm local time Sunday.

Major Cities Experiencing Official Heat Wave

Despite the relentless heat in the south-central U.S. and Midwest this summer, the Northeast had been mostly spared the worst of the conditions until now. In this corner of the U.S., a heat wave is typically defined as readings of over 90 degrees for three straight days.

New York City is already at official heat wave status with the warmth set to continue through Monday. The last time the Big Apple saw heat of this intensity for so long was back in August of 2002. The longest heat wave ever recorded for the city was when the reading hit at least 90 degrees for 12 straight days in August and September of 1953.

It has also been excruciatingly hot in Newark, New Jersey. The city will likely see at least eight consecutive days of temperatures of at least 90 degrees. Furthermore, the city is forecast to see five days with triple digit readings once Sunday rolls around.

Moving to the south and west, Philadelphia is setting up to see at least eight days of temperatures of at least 90 degrees. This includes a predicted high of 100 degrees on Sunday. Should this reading be reached, it would break the daily record of 98 degrees from 2011. Forecasters are predicting that Philly will see another day in the 90s on Monday before the temperatures start to abate.

Other areas that may see records fall on Sunday include towns in the Poconos, northern New England, and up and down the Interstate 95 corridor.

The heat is causing a number of issues for travelers. Restrictions related to the heat has put some Amtrak trains between Philadelphia and New York City behind schedule.

What About the Mid-Atlantic and New England?

The temperatures are also sizzling farther to the south. Washington, D.C. is now under the grips of what forecasters are predicting what will end up as an eight-day heat wave. While the daily record for Sunday is likely to stand at 101 degrees, it will still feel stifling throughout the nation’s capital.

Baltimore has been no stranger to the heat this summer. The city has already recorded 25 days of readings of at least 90 degrees going back to the middle of May. With a forecast high of 100 degrees on Sunday, residents are going to need to take steps to stay cool.

Complicating the issue in the big cities along the I-95 corridor is the large amount of concrete and brick. Because heat does not get absorbed into the ground, urban areas are more likely to heat up more quickly.

New England will also be in danger of seeing record heat. The record for Boston on July 24 is 98 degrees, dating back to 1933. The current forecast predicts that the city will come close to that record on Sunday.

Looking Ahead

Monday will be another day of real feel temperatures inching above 100 degrees in many areas. The abundance of sunshine and rising humidity levels will make it feel downright miserable in most places throughout the region.

However, a cold front moving in from the Midwest will bring a bit of relief to the area starting late Monday and into Tuesday. However, do not get too used to the more moderate readings. Forecasters are predicting that the mercury will be on the upswing again by the end of the week.

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