Temperatures may flirt with 100 degrees across the region today in the hottest day so far of the heat wave sweltering the area since Tuesday. Forecasters say a cold front will move in tomorrow, possibly bringing with it another round of severe weather and isolated tornadoes. It will also restore temperatures to the upper 80s for the upcoming week.
Record high temperatures may be set across the region today. Yesterday, Newark International Airport logged the fifth day in a row of temperatures reaching 100 degrees. A record high temperature of 97 degrees was set at Albany International Airport, breaking a previously tied record of 96 degrees set in 1933, 1952, and 1955.
The Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) remains in effect across the region through late tonight. Highs are forecast to reach the upper 90s to near 100 degrees in many areas. Heat index values will soar into the low 100s, possibly reaching 105 degrees, thanks to high dew points and humidity.
The heat is courtesy of a tropical air mass being caused by a Bermuda high pressure system, coupled with a southwesterly air flow. A cold front will approach the region late tonight and slowly move across the area tomorrow night. The NWS Storm Prediction Center says this may bring with it yet another round of severe thunderstorms with a potential tornado risk.
At Vail’s Gate Tower, a weather tower owned by The Newburgh News, LLC, the coldest day logged during the heat wave was last Tuesday with a high of 92.2 degrees. The hottest day so far was Wednesday with a high of 97 degrees. The overnight hours also have not provided much relief with lows only dropping into the low 70s.
