Hot Temperatures Push Towards the East Coast to Close the Week

Linda Lam
Published: July 6,2016
It will certainly feel like July for much of the Eastern U.S. to close out the week. Hot and humid conditions that have been in place across the central and southern Plains are now expanding eastward.
(MORE: July is the Warmest Time of the Year for Much of the U.S.)
When temperatures are 5 to 15 degrees warmer than average in July, that is noteworthy, considering this is typically the hottest time of year. The National Weather Service has issued heat advisories and excessive heat warnings for parts of the central, southern, and eastern states.

Heat Alerts

What is the cause of this heat? Upper-level high pressure has strengthened across the southern tier of states, as it typically does in the core summer months.
Meanwhile, southwest surface winds around high pressure centered near Bermuda will pump in hotter, more humid air, at times, into parts of the East. A late-week cold front, however, will bring relief to parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
Below we break down the details of how hot you can expect conditions to get in the Plains, Midwest and East.
(MAPS: 10-Day Forecast)

Sizzling Heat Spreads East

Wednesday was New York City's first time in the 90s since May 28. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for the metro area where heat index values of 95-99 degrees are possible in the afternoon hours through Thursday.

Current Temperatures

Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia will climb towards the middle 90s through the end of the week. An excessive heat warning is in effect for the Philadelphia metro area where the heat index may reach 100 degrees in the afternoon hours through Friday. Washington, D.C. will also see the heat index climb towards the low 100s.
(FORECAST: Boston | New York | Washington, D.C.)
Hot temperatures will also continue to grip parts south-central states through the end of the week with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.
Dallas has not yet hit 100 degrees this year through Wednesday, but could do so the next few days. This is slightly behind schedule as the average date of the first 100-degree day is June 30. July usually features six days with highs at or above 100 degrees in Dallas.
(FORECAST: Dallas | Oklahoma City | Kansas City)

Forecast Highs

The heat will also scorch parts of the Southeast states.
Highs will be in the upper 90s to lower 100s for many locations across the Southeast to close this week. When dew points ranging from the mid-60s to the mid-70s are factored in, heat index values will easily soar into the 100s.
(FORECAST: Nashville | Raleigh | Atlanta)

This Week's Forecast

Low temperatures across much of the region will also only dip into the mid and upper 70s, providing no relief at night. This heat will also last for a stretch of at least a few days, resulting in a prolonged period of very hot and humid, as well as potentially dangerous, conditions.
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