Boston, MA – A sweltering air mass will push heat index values near 100°F across much of Massachusetts, northern Connecticut, and northern Rhode Island Thursday, prompting a Heat Advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Boston, the advisory covers cities including Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Hartford, and Providence, with a combination of high humidity and temperatures in the 90s expected to cause heat-related illnesses if precautions aren’t taken.
The advisory spans 19 counties, including Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Bristol, Hampden, and Franklin in Massachusetts; Tolland, Windham, and Hartford in Connecticut; and Providence County in Rhode Island. Urban centers and inland valleys are expected to feel the worst of it during the afternoon peak. Cooling centers will likely open in some cities, and local agencies are urging residents to limit outdoor activity.
Officials recommend staying indoors in air-conditioned spaces, drinking plenty of water, and checking on vulnerable neighbors, especially the elderly. Outdoor workers and athletes should schedule frequent breaks and wear lightweight clothing.
The heat threat will ease Thursday night, but more advisories may follow if the pattern persists into the weekend.
