WEATHER ALERT: An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect for today until 8 PM Saturday for the entire area, except for Block Island. Excessive heat and humidity will bring heat index values well over 100. In addition, an Air Quality Alert is in effect for all of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts today for poor air quality due to elevated levels of ground-level ozone developing.
Good morning! Happy Thursday. We are in the midst of what will likely be the first heat wave of the year…and this one will be a doozy. Today and tomorrow, temperatures will soar to around 100° inland. Even the coast will be become very hot. There is some relief on the way for early next week, but we have to get through the weekend.
The heat index for today and tomorrow will be between 100 and 110°. In this particular case, it really is the heat index that is more important than the actualy temperature. We don’t get heat index values this high too often, and especially not a couple days in a row.
The Extreme Heat Warning continues today across our entire area (except for Block Island).
In addition, we have another Air Quality Alert for today, starting at 11AM. Eleveated levels of ground-level ozone are expected in Rhode Island and Massacusetts (as well as coastal Connecticut). Those with respiratory diseases or heart ailments really need to be careful.
Yesterday, we hit 90° in the Providence area, starting what will likely be a prolonged heat wave. For an official heat wave, we need three consecutive days of 90° heat. We’re forecasting at least 4 days of 90-100°.
This is no ordinary heat wave, however. We’ll have a couple of days with temperatures up around 100, and with the humidity, we could be looking at dangerous conditions.
INTERACTIVE RADAR: Live Pinpoint Weather 12 Radar »…