Thursday morning, July 2, starts off deceptively mild in Boston, with partly cloudy skies and temperatures near 79°F. By afternoon, though, the city is expected to feel like an open oven, with highs near 100°F and heat index values reaching up to 104°F. Overnight, there will be little real relief, as many neighborhoods are only expected to dip into the mid 70s.
Dangerous Heat Through Saturday
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect through 8:00 PM EDT Saturday, July 4, according to the National Weather Service Boston/Norton. Forecast highs are near 100°F today and Friday, with the most intense heat expected each afternoon. Humidity will stay thick and sticky, and the lack of cooling at night will be especially tough on residents in the urban core and anyone without air conditioning.
Ozone Alert And Cooling Options
An Air Quality Alert for ground level ozone is in place from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM this evening, and people who are sensitive to air pollution are advised to limit long periods of outdoor activity. The City of Boston has opened up extra cooling options, including BCYF community centers, public libraries and select pools, and recommends calling 311 or checking the city's heat page for specific locations, according to the City of Boston.
Afternoon Storm Chance And Wind
There is a small, roughly 20%, chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, mainly between about 1:00 and 5:00 PM. Any storm that develops could bring a quick burst of heavy rain and lightning. West winds are expected around 9 to 15 mph with gusts near 20 to 25 mph, and parts of the southern coastal waters remain choppy under small craft headlines. If you are planning to be on or near the water, keep a backup indoor plan and follow local updates.
What To Do
Try to move strenuous outdoor plans to early morning or later in the evening, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and check in on older neighbors or anyone who might not have reliable cooling. Never leave children or pets in parked cars, even for a short time, and seek out air conditioned spaces during the peak heat hours.
For more context on the forecast and the longer range outlook, see our earlier Hoodline story holiday heat wave grips city. We will post updates if conditions or advisories change.
