Relief from the Searing Heat and Humidity on the Way to the Northeast

The heat and humidity have been a constant storyline for the Northeast this summer. However, things are about to change in this corner of the country with relief from the oppressive conditions. How long will the relief last? Read on for all of the details.

Cooler and Less Humid Air Headed to the Northeast

The beginning of the weekend will usher in less miserable weather conditions for the northeastern U.S. The relief will come on the heels of atypically high humidity levels that have gripped a large swath of the mid-Atlantic, the central portions of the Appalachians, and southern New England for over a month. During this period, those in the Northeast have only enjoyed a few days with low humidity levels.

There is good news on the horizon for those tired of the heat and humidity. A mass of cooler and less humid air that is currently anchored over the northern Plains will continue to push to the east into the weekend. This batch of cooler air has sent the mercury down into the 50s overnight in a zone from the Dakotas and to Minnesota, giving a hint of what is to come for those in its path.

While the intense sunshine will mitigate some of the cooling effects, the lower humidity levels will certainly provide some degree of relief. You can expect the cooler and less humid pattern to hit the Great Lakes by Friday before entering the Northeast on Saturday.

How much will the temperatures fall? The forecast is calling for widespread readings in the 80s for the Northeast. Although this is still warm by any standard, the lower humidity levels and breezy conditions will make it feel more comfortable when compared to the weather as of late.

The temperatures will slip to the lowest levels since the middle of June on Friday night throughout the eastern Great Lakes and down into the central Appalachians. New England and the coastal portions of the mid-Atlantic will see the coolest temperatures of this stretch on Saturday night. You can expect overnight lows to hover in the 50s and 60s for the interior Northeast while bottoming out in the 60s and low 70s along the Interstate 95 corridor in the mid-Atlantic.

For instance, Buffalo is forecast to see overnight lows slide to the 60-degree mark on Friday and into Saturday. The daily highs will also provide relief, topping out in the upper 70s and low 80s for the next several days.

Brief Break from Stream of Moisture

The reduction in humidity levels will also put a lid on thunderstorm development. It has been a rocky week of weather for the central and eastern U.S. with repeated downpours and storm activity. The slash in the amount of moisture-rich air will go a long way in lowering this threat.

The Ohio Valley, the southern Appalachians, and the lower section of the mid-Atlantic will not see as much relief from this weather pattern. This is because the cooler air will move more to the east and southeast instead of directly to the south. As such, this zone should brace for more hot and muggy weather through the end of July.

You can see the gradient in the change by comparing overnight lows in New York City to those just down in the road in Washington, D.C. While the Big Apple will see lows fall into the upper 60s on Friday night, the nation's capital will bottom out with readings that land in the upper 70s.

The break from the heat and humidity will not last long. The Midwest will begin to see the increasing humidity levels by Saturday, while the uptick will spread over the Northeast beginning on Sunday. The gradual increase of humidity by Sunday will also come with the risk of more rain and thunderstorms as the weekend comes to a close.

This means that Saturday will provide the most pleasant conditions for outdoor activities for much of the East Coast. Places such as New York City will enjoy partly cloudy skies and highs that hover in the mid 80s on Saturday before the chance of rain and thunderstorms fire up again on Sunday.

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