Forecast: Heat Wave Underway

Steve Glazier

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By Steve Glazier - email

In the midst of this summer season, heat and humidity is stretching its arm from the Midwest and into New England. Locally temperatures topped out in the 85-92° range Thursday and our SkyTracker Meteorologists expect those numbers to get even higher.

Temperatures will rise to 86-94° both Friday and Saturday. Not everyone, but many towns and cities will get three consecutive days of ninety-degree heat. This will create the first region-wide heat wave of the year. A few locations have already had a heat wave this year, such as Lebanon, NH in late June.

There are three major factors that are bringing this heat in. High pressure is locked in overhead. Think of high pressure as air getting pushed down from higher levels in the atmosphere, literally a high pressure felt at the surface. With sinking air the air warms and dries out, which heats us up. Secondly, a high sun angle here in mid July is allowing for 15+ hours of daylight to heat us up as well. Finally the ground is very dry, as well as the air. Dry air can heat up very quickly and cool down quickly at night. For instance Lebanon's temperatures in the last few days have been jumping nearly 40° from night to day!

As always there are some helpful reminders to keep you safe during these hot days such as wearing light colored and loose clothing, drinking plenty of water, staying in the shade, limiting outdoor strenuous activity in the afternoon, and keeping up with the latest forecast!

Of course, which you can find here:

http://www.fox44now.com/story/10314165/full-forecast

The Burlington area averages several 90° days each year. Through Thursday, July 12, the Queen City has had six. Adding two more Friday and Saturday will get Burlington to eight. Last year we had seven.

For more climatology numbers on 90° days by region, go to the National Weather Service's climate page:

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/local_data.php?wfo=btv

Stay cool everyone! This heat will break Sunday with clouds and rain possible with highs in the 80s, but a return to near 90 will occur by next week once again.

-Meteorologist Steve Glazier

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