Stifling Heat Likely To Bring New England's Highest Temperatures In Years

BOSTON (CBS) – Summer, arriving Thursday, is pretty much right on schedule when it comes to the temperatures.

Some of the hottest temperatures we've experienced in two years are likely heading into Monday afternoon. In fact, Boston and Worcester have the chance to set or tie record highs for June 18.

Monday will start off on a mild note. Overnight, a partly to mostly cloudy sky will keep a summer-like feel in the air. Temperatures will only fall into the middle 60s for lows.

Temperatures will quickly rise into the mid-to-upper 90s, especially in the Merrimack and Connecticut River valleys.

Couple that with tropical humidity that moves in, and heat index values will reach the triple digits in some locations!

Because of the dangerous heat, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory to go into effect Monday midday.

Additionally, the stagnant air will cause some poor air quality. The Mass DEP has put an Air Quality Alert in place for tomorrow afternoon.

Increasing heat and humidity and lack of mixing may cause an increase in the amount of low-level ozone, that can be linked to respiratory problems, especially for people who tend to be more sensitive.

Relief comes in the form of a few showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening. Initially, some spotty thunderstorms may pop up in the instability of the day before more widespread shower and thunderstorm chances increase with a frontal passage.

It's not looking like a ton of rain with this frontal passage, but it does bring some drier air to New England for Tuesday.

Boston has only seen a trace of rain over the last 12 days, with minimal amounts expected over the upcoming week. The abnormally dry soil conditions north and west of town are bound to grow with the lack of rain.

If you're looking for silver linings, the rest of the week will be warm but not hot.