Heat Wave to Bake NYC, Philadelphia, DC Into New Week

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

August 16,2015; 10:30PM,EDT

 

Heat and humidity has made a comeback in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast and will not end as the new week starts.
A building ridge of high pressure will keep temperatures climbing through Monday.
Away from the beaches and the mountains, most communities in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast will approach or crack the 90-degree mark on Monday.
For New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and others in the surrounding areas, Monday's highs will make this heat wave official. A heat wave is declared in the Northeast when temperatures reach or exceed 90 F on three consecutive days.

"While it has been hot in New York City on several occasions, there has not been an official heat wave in the city this year," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson. New York City has actually not dealt with an official heat wave since July 2013.
New York City is also one place in the Northeast that will challenge record highs early this week.
As temperatures climb, uncomfortable humidity levels will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures even higher. RealFeels will approach or reach the century mark throughout the mid-Atlantic, away from the beaches and east of the Appalachians.

Heat Builds in the Northeast

While temperatures will get knocked down some in the Carolinas and central Appalachians on Tuesday, little relief will come to the rest of the Northeast with many communities once again registering highs within a couple degrees of 90 F.
Residents and visitors in the Northeast are reminded to drink plenty of water, wear light clothing and avoid strenuous activities during the hottest times of the day (the midday and afternoon) to avoid suffering from heat exhaustion or stroke.
RELATED:
Northeast Interactive Radar
2015 US Fall Forecast: Warm Weather to Kick off Fall for Mid-Atlantic, Northeast
Forecast Temperature Maps
If the latter cannot be avoided, be sure to take plenty of breaks. Remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle.
Thompson also suggests heading to the Atlantic beaches to beat the heat. "Heading to the beach will be a good idea, as temperatures will stay in the 80s and the threat for thunderstorms, especially on Monday, will be low," he said.

"The water is also more comfortable now that we're in the second half of August," Thompson continued. "Water temperatures are currently in the 70s from the southern New England coast through the mid-Atlantic."
After dotting parts of the Northeast, including New York City, on Sunday, thunderstorms will generally be confined to the central Appalachians and toward the Great Lakes on Monday. The return of thunderstorms to more of the Northeast on Tuesday will not be a sign of substantial heat relief for Wednesday.
The cold front returning showers and thunderstorms to the Great Lakes will be able to drop into the Great Lakes Monday and Tuesday and knock down the heat. The front will fail to reach the Northeast, allowing another very warm and humid day to unfold at midweek.

An even stronger cold front will sweep through the Midwest with severe thunderstorms Wednesday and further reduce temperatures and humidity levels.
This second front will slowly push through the Northeast later in the week, accompanied by showers and thunderstorms and followed by more seasonable and less humid air. The front, however, may struggle to totally clear the coast before the weekend.
Cool air having difficulty holding firm in the Northeast will be the theme for the remainder of the month.
"While there will be some minor fluctuations in temperature, a persistent ridge of high pressure will keep the warmth and humidity locked into the East through most of the rest of August," added Thompson.