Wet and Steamy Weather Headed to the Northeast This Week

High humidity levels will lay the groundwork for regular rounds of rain across the Northeast in the days ahead. Some of the hottest temperatures of the season are forecast to follow just as the astronomical summer officially starts on Friday. Here is a look at the wet and steamy forecast for this corner of the country this week.

Rain Train Will Persist Across the Northeast

Frequent rain showers and the threat of thunderstorms will be the story for the Northeast this week. The unsettled weather will precede a wave of heat expected to push in from the West as the week progresses.

While it was a dry spring for much of the Northeast, Mother Nature has turned up the moisture machine in recent weeks. Almost every area in the northeastern U.S. has recorded near to above average amounts of rainfall dating back to May 1. The wettest areas have picked up rainfall amounts between 150 - 200% of the historical average over this time period.

The persistent nature of the rain showers has presented challenges for the construction industry, farmers, and landscapers. It has been difficult to fit in this work between bouts of rain. The stream of moisture is likely to continue to some degree through the next week. Although every day will not be a washout, residents will need to keep an eye on the hourly forecast to try to fit in outdoor activities. Forecasters are also warning that too much rain falling too quickly on the already saturated grounds will trigger the threat of flash flooding in urban areas and along small streams.

The bulk of the precipitation is predicted to hit during the afternoon and evening hours. Most of the coastal areas will remain dry, however, beachgoers cannot discount the chance of a stray rain shower and thunderstorm on any given day this week.

The natural heating of the day will provide fuel for developing thunderstorms. This fuel will be amplified if a frontal system happens to be moving through the area. The result will be the threat of gusty thunderstorms and flooding downpours.

Heat Wave on the Way

A heat wave building over the central U.S. in the days ahead will sneak over to the Eastern Seaboard by the end of the week. High humidity levels will elevate the real feel readings, translating to temperatures that feel like 90 degrees or higher for the populated Interstate 95 corridor.

It is also possible that a large heat bubble will come together over the Northeast heading into the weekend. This heat is likely to linger into early next week.

The saturated moisture will work to trim the temperatures slightly, however, widespread highs that hover in the 90s will still be likely. Real feel readings could eclipse the century mark during the peak afternoon heating hours. Areas that should brace for the first heat wave of the year include parts of the Midwest and over to the central Appalachians, the mid-Atlantic, and up into New England.

Several of the biggest cities in the region have yet to see the 90-degree mark this year. For example, Detroit's top reading this season has been 88 degrees. New York City has peaked at a top reading of 87 degrees. It has been a bit cooler in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, topping out at 86 degrees for the hottest weather thus far.

It has been a bit warmer in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore with readings that have inched up to 90 degrees. A burst of heat a few weeks ago sent the mercury to 89 degrees in Boston.

The forecast models indicate that the warmest conditions of this upcoming heat wave will settle in over the Ohio Valley, the Great Lakes, and the Interstate 95 corridor. Overnight lows will remain moderate with readings expected to bottom out in the 70s. The exception to these warm nights will be in areas that see persistent rain that could bring the temperatures down into the 60s.

The arrival of the heat will coincide with the summer solstice, happening on Friday, June 20 at 10:41 pm on the East Coast.

Specific Forecasts

Because of the hit and miss nature of these storms, it is a bit difficult to predict with certainty who will get in on the action. Charleston, West Virginia, should prepare for the threat of storms during the afternoon and evening hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Thursday is shaping up to be the most volatile day of weather with widespread storms throughout the day.

High temperatures in Charleston will bounce around in the mid to upper 80s for the first three days of the work week before slipping to the 80-degree mark on Thursday when the most persistent storms roll into the region. The temperatures will then begin an upward trend into the weekend as the heat builds.

Baltimore will see the first chance of rain showers on Tuesday morning. This mass of moisture could evolve into thunderstorm activity in the evening hours as temperatures reach the low 80s. After a relatively calm day on tap for Wednesday, Charm City will once again see the threat of afternoon thunderstorms.

Thursday is also when the mercury will soar in Baltimore. The forecast is calling for a high of about 95 degrees on this day along with winds out of the west-southwest at 10 to 15 mph. The warming trend will wane slightly before temperatures approach the triple digits by Sunday and into Monday.

Heading to the north, Boston will see the greatest chance of rain Wednesday morning. The heat will take longer to envelope this part of the region with highs in the low 90s not expected until next Monday and Tuesday.

The interior portions of the Northeast will likely take the brunt of the storm activity. Pittsburgh is forecast to see scattered storms throughout the day and night on Tuesday. The Steel City will also be under the threat of rain and stormy conditions on Wednesday and Thursday. The weather will dry out on Friday and through the weekend, sending the temperatures up into the low 90s by Sunday.

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