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Strong-to-severe thunderstorms started pushing into Northern New England, particularly New Hampshire and Maine, in the afternoon and are expected to keep firing as we head into the night, with the potential to produce damaging winds, hail, and even an isolated tornado.
Quick look Wednesday: Hazy skies remain as Canadian smoke spreads over the region
We’re going to see another hot day on Wednesday, but the wildfire smoke may again keep temperatures a nudge cooler. It’ll come down to how much near-surface smoke is still lingering during the early afternoon hours. We’ll likely see more hazy skies beginning in the morning, with some of the heavier smoke held over portions of Southern New England, including Boston. So expect a bit more of that hazy tint to the sky as you go about your day with scattered air quality alerts across Southern New England.
At the same time, a front will slide south through Southern New England during the day, sparking scattered showers — though precipitation should be pretty light. Boston may get caught in a brief, passing shower, but mostly while we’re at work. It might be good to pack the umbrella just in case this front slows enough for a shower to linger about during the commute home.
Heat remains, but humidity drops
Pinpointing Wednesday’s high is a bit tricky, with the haze thickness and timing of any passing showers, but we will likely wind up somewhere between 88 and 95 degrees across Greater Boston. Below is what you can expect for peak highs during the afternoon, but some of these highs may fall a bit short.
Heat dome returns as Boston faces the 90s with stifling humidity
The good news is the humidity: Muggy conditions in the morning will give way to a more comfortable afternoon and evening as dew points drop as much as 15 degrees from sunrise to sunset.
But before the drier air behind the cold front settles in, we’ll still need to exercise caution while we’re outdoors. Heat stress will remain high for most of the day.
The other thing you’ll notice? The wind. It’s going to be a bit breezy out there as the front passes, with winds of 10 to 20 mph at times across Greater Boston and the entire Southern New England region.
Greater Boston: Hot, decreasing humidity, hazy, and breezy. Highs could reach the upper 80s to mid-90s. A passing shower chance.
Central/Western Mass.: Hot with decreasing humidity. Some wildfire haze with a bit of a breeze. Highs to the mid-80s in the Berkshires, low 90s east. A slight chance of a shower.
Southeastern Mass.: Seeing temperatures boost to the low to mid-80s with a bit of a breeze. Some haze. A spot shower chance.
Cape Cod and the Islands: Temperatures reach the upper 70s to low 80s. A bit of a breeze with some haze. Spot shower chance in the evening.
Rhode Island: Hot with some haze. Humidity drops during the day, with a passing shower possible. Highs to the upper 80s to mid-90s.
New Hampshire: Mix of sun and clouds with a spot shower chance to the south. Highs to the upper 80s and low 90s. Some haze.
Vermont/Maine: Maine sees drier air under mostly sunny skies. Some haze. Highs to the upper 80s and low 90s by the coast, cooler inland.
Connecticut: Hot with dew points decreasing. Spot shower chance. Highs range from the upper 80s to mid-90s. Hazy skies.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.
