Get ready to crank the air conditioner up to high this week. It’s about to get wicked hot for several straight days.
Boston could experience its first heat wave of the summer, with temps potentially topping 90 degrees on five consecutive days. An official heat wave is declared when the mercury hits 90 degrees for three straight days.
“We will be seeing a very prolonged period of heat,” Kristie Smith, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Boston office, told the Herald on Sunday. “It’s definitely going to be getting hot this week.
“It’s not too surprising that we’re finally getting that surge of heat,” she added of hot days in mid-July. “It’s definitely coming in full force.”
Before the heat arrives on Tuesday, severe weather will be possible in Massachusetts on Monday. The primary threats will be excessive rainfall and high winds.
“There could be some poor drainage flooding,” Smith said. “We haven’t seen much rain, so it would be beneficial to get some rain.”
Isolated tornadoes are also possible, with the greatest risk across central and western Massachusetts.
“Fortunately for the Boston area, there’s not a high risk for tornadoes,” Smith said. “Boston could see some rain and thunderstorms.”
Related Articles
- Weather | Vets warn of increased number of pet heat injuries during summer heat
Then the heat moves in on Tuesday, with temps jumping into the low 90s. Temps could top 90 degrees each day through Saturday.
So far this year, Boston has only seen two days of 90-plus heat.
“Perhaps four to five days in a row could be a bit of shock to peoples’ systems,” Smith said, adding that people should remember to drink plenty of water and try to lay low during the worst heat of the day. “Seek shelter anywhere you can to stay cool.”
On Thursday, there will be a chance for thunderstorms and rain.
The region desperately needs some rain following several dry months. Boston is nearly 7 inches below normal for precipitation at this time of the year.
The city is in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and northeastern Massachusetts is now facing a severe drought.
“We have a pretty decent deficit, and unfortunately we aren’t expecting too much rain for Boston on Monday,” Smith said. “It won’t be drought busting, but we’ll take every hundredths of an inch we can get at this point.”
BOSTON, MA.- Phyllis Robins, 5, holds her nose as she runs through the Splash Fountain at Christian Science Plaza on July 17, 2022 in BOSTON, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald) 
BOSTON, MA.- David Vitale-Wolff, of Boston, reacts as he runs through the Splash Fountain at Christian Science Plaza on July 17, 2022 in BOSTON, MA. (Photo by Amanda Sabga/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald)