After a spectacular rain-free weekend in the Mid Atlantic and Northeast, the sunshine remains but the heat and humidity are returning making things uncomfortable and dangerous. Due to the dangers of high heat and humidity, the National Weather Service has issued heat Heat Advisories and Air Quality alerts for portions of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, Illinois, and Missouri.
A Heat Advisory means that a period of excessively hot humid weather is expected. The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will create a situation in which there is an increased risk for heat related health issues. The National Weather Services advises that people in a Heat Advisory drink plenty of fluids and stay in an air-conditioned environment, if possible. People should also check-in on each other during times of high heat and humidity, especially the very young and very old. The National Weather Service also encourages people to take extra precautions if they work or spend time outside; they suggest, if possible, to reschedule strenuous activities to the early morning or late evening hours. To reduce risk while working outdoors, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in a shaded or air conditioned environment.
A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors.
Relief from the heat likely won’t arrive until Thursday. High pressure will remain anchored over the western Atlantic through much of the week. A cold front will cross the Mid Atlantic on Thursday. That front will stall near the Carolinas and then dissipates through Saturday. Clouds associated with the front will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler on Thursday morning and afternoon; temperatures will drop more when showers and storms associated with the front move through later in the day. High pressure will build into the region from the north and east through the weekend and into early next week, likely providing a return for good weather again.
