Heat wave peaks Tuesday

The heat wave will become official today as we reach day 3 of high temperatures higher than 90 degrees. In fact, today will he the hottest day of the stretch as temperatures will top out near 101 in the interior and with the high humidity, will feel like 110. An EXTREME HEAT WARNING  has been issued through 8 pm tonight. We will have daytime highs in the 90s and even 101 on Tuesday, combined with the high humidity, it will feel like 100-110. This is a dangerous level of heat and humidity. Small children, the elderly and folks with respiratory ailments will be especially at risk for heat related illness with heat and humidity. Be sure to drink plenty of water, seek air conditioning, and avoid extended periods of time in the sun, particularly during the peak time of heating of the day 10 am – 2 pm. The record high for today is 94 from 1980 and we  are expected to take it down today. The all-time high temp recorded in Providence was 104 on August 2, 1975, and today we will be within a few degrees of this long-standing record.

We also have an Air Quality Alert in effect from 11am to 11pm today for high levels of ground level ozone, which may also exacerbate breathing ailments in those affected.

Sunshine abounds today with high pressure in control.

Tonight will be clear but hot and stuffy with overnight lows near 78. Wednesday will start with some patches of fog and otherwise be mostly sunny with hot highs near 94 and feeling like 100 with the humidity factored in. Wednesday brings in the cold front that will break the heat wave, giving us scattered showers and the chance of thunderstorms starting midday. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with scattered showers, but it will be much cooler and comfortable with highs in the lower 70s. Friday looks mostly cloudy and cooler than average with highs near 71. Looking to the weekend, Saturday will be unsettled and cool with clouds, scattered showers and highs in the lower 70s. Sunday is shaping up to be mostly cloudy and dry with a seasonable high of 81. Sunshine returns for Monday with highs near 83.