Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A broad area of above-normal temperatures is expected to expand along much of the East Coast this weekend, bringing a return to midsummer heat and sticky humidity that could linger into the first week of July.
According to National Weather Service outlooks, a strengthening ridge of high pressure over the eastern half of the country will support a prolonged stretch of warmer-than-average conditions from the Carolinas northward through the Mid-Atlantic and into portions of the Northeast.
Temperatures are expected to climb into the upper 80s and lower 90s across cities including Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, Hartford and Boston. Combined with increasing humidity, many locations could experience heat index values in the mid to upper 90s.
The hottest conditions remain likely across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, where multiple consecutive days of elevated temperatures could increase heat stress concerns. Urban areas will be particularly vulnerable as concrete and pavement retain heat well into the evening hours.
While scattered thunderstorms may occasionally develop, especially during the afternoon and evening, forecasters expect the dominant weather story to be the return of persistent summer heat. Residents should prepare now for potentially prolonged periods of hot and humid conditions through early July.
