Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Situational Awareness Statement #2 Subject: Oppressive Heat and Humidity to Continue; Severe Weather This Afternoon/Evening

Heat & Humidity
The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting a period of oppressive heat and humidity with heat indices today near or just over 100 degrees across much of eastern Massachusetts and in the Connecticut River Valley. A heat advisory remains in effect though 8:00 PM today. Slightly less humid weather is forecast to arrive for Friday before heat and humidity return for the weekend. Temperatures are expected to return to seasonable levels with comfortable humidity by Tuesday of next week.  Additionally, scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening. Thunderstorms are expected to develop in eastern New York and western portions of Massachusetts and Connecticut as soon as noon, then move east-northeast through this afternoon and early tonight. The period of greatest thunderstorm risk is between 2 and 8 PM, with the strongest storms likely to occur along and west of the I-495 corridor.
Impacts/ Potential Impacts
• Heat related issues for at risk populations and those doing higher levels of outdoor physical activities.
• There is a small risk for an isolated tornado.
• Heavy downpours (~1”/hr rates) associated with slow-moving thunderstorms can lead to isolated instances of flooding. Flooding will be confined mainly to urban areas, but given current drought conditions heavy rains can oversaturate soils, leading to rural flooding as well.
• Damaging wind gusts may bring down tree limbs and power lines, causing power outages and structural damage.
• Hail as large as quarter sized (1”).
• Frequent lightning that can injure those outdoors.
AttachmentSize
PDF icon MEMA-Situational Awareness Statement #2561.98 KB