Records Fall, Temperature Could Still Hit 100
BOSTON (CBS) - Just when you thought it couldn't get any hotter, Boston hit a scorching 97 degrees on Wednesday, just 1 degree shy of the record, and today temperatures could even go higher.
When you start off with a low temperature of 80 degrees at 6 a.m., a record high high minimum, you know you are in for a blistering day.
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No surprise, as of 3:10 p.m., the record for Boston today -- set back in 1949 -- has been broken. Current temp: 96 degrees.
We believe Boston should at least reach 98 if not higher.
The record will also fall in Worcester, where the old record is 91, set in 1953. Worcester is expected to reach the mid 90s today.
There is also a real chance at hitting 100 degrees today in Boston.
If that were to happen, it would be only the third time ever in June. The last time we hit 100 in June was 60 years ago on June 26th of 1952.
Most of our 100's typically come in July and August. Boston has hit 100 only about 25 times in well over 100 years of record keeping.
If we hit 98 degrees, it would only be the 9th time that has been done in June history and the first time since 1998.
Any way you slice it, we are in the midst of some historical heat.
Despite all this record breaking warmth, there is only about a 50-percent chance that this stretch will go in the record books as an official heat wave.
A heat wave is defined as three consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher.
For this to happen we would need Friday's high temperature to hit 90 or higher.
It is going to be close, highs on Friday are forecasted to be right around 90 with some scattered showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Relief from this oppressive airmass isn't going to come all at once. We will shave about 5-10 degrees off on Friday and another 5-10 degrees on Saturday.
Humidity levels will be even slower to drop, not reaching comfortable levels until Sunday.
When all is said and done, we may look back at the last few days as the hottest of the entire summer, a rousing start to the season!
You can follow Terry on Twitter at @TerryWBZ.
