By Owen Boss
Staff Writer
Crank up the air conditioning, drink a lot of water and avoid outdoor activities if you can, as record-setting high temperatures and humidity are expected to scorch locations across the Valley this afternoon.
Local weather experts are predicting today's high temperature will climb into the high 90's with oppressively humid conditions. This has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a heat advisory for most of New England.
According to Dan Amarante, meteorologist for television station ABC 40 Springfield, today's hot and muggy weather can be attributed to a high pressure system off the Atlantic coast that is bringing what he called a "southwestern breeze" to the Eastern half of the country.
"This system has already resulted in record-setting temperatures in locations up and down the East Coast and has brought in some tropical air that will be really humid and oppressive," Amarante said.
"That is what is going to make it very uncomfortable to be outdoors."
Although Amarante is predicting that tomorrow's high will reach 97, one degree hotter than the current record for the day of 96 set in 1999 - the humidity will likely make it feel more like 104.
Suggested precautionary measures during a heat advisory, Amarante said, include staying hydrated, avoiding outdoor activities and watching out for area residents most likely to have heat-related complications, such as infants, young children and the elderly. Also, efforts should be made to provide extra water to household pets who spend an extended period of time outdoors.
Aside from the chance of a scattered thunderstorm on Wednesday or Thursday, Amarante said relief from the humidity isn't expected until this weekend.
"I think it is going to cool off sometime Friday and we will see high temperatures drop down into the upper 80's." Amarante said. "But in terms of getting back to normal weather, I don't think that is going to happen until Sunday or Monday."
Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com
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