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Oppressive heat and humidity; severe weather expected later today

From: Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency

Situation
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.
Weather Forecast Overview
Advisories, Watches and Warnings
Special Weather Statement
Issued: July 21 at 10:01AM EDT		  
Areas affected: Central Middlesex County; Eastern Franklin; Eastern Hampden; Eastern Hampshire; Northern Worcester; Northwest Middlesex County; Southern Worcester; Western Essex; Western Franklin; Western Hampden; Western Hampshire
Heat Advisory
Issued: July 21 at 4:52AM EDT
Expiring: July 21 at 8:00PM EDT		  
Areas affected: Central Middlesex County; Eastern Franklin; Eastern Hampden; Eastern Hampshire; Eastern Norfolk; Eastern Plymouth; Northern Bristol; Northern Worcester; Northwest Middlesex County; Southeast Middlesex; Southern Bristol; Southern Plymouth; Southern Worcester; Suffolk; Western Essex; Western Norfolk; Western Plymouth

Preparedness and Safety Information

Stay Informed
For additional information and updated forecasts, see www.weather.gov/boston (National Weather Service Norton) and www.weather.gov/albany (National Weather Service Albany)

Utilize MEMA’s real-time power outage viewer to stay informed about current power outages in your community and region, and across the state, including information from utility companies about restoration times: http://mema.mapsonline.net/public.html

 
Online Resources
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency www.mass.gov/mema
MEMA’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA
MEMA Twitter @MassEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
National Weather Service Boston/ Norton, MA  www.weather.gov/boston
National Weather Service/Albany, NY www.weather.gov/albany
National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov 

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center  www.spc.noaa.gov
Northeast River Forecast Center www.weather.gov/nerfc/

National Hurricane Center www.nhc.noaa.gov

Mass211 www.mass211.org