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Record-breaking heat possible this weekend

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A strong dome of high pressure is going to build in the region later Friday, bringing about some of the hottest air we can possibly see this time of year.

We won't know until the end of the weekend just how hot it gets or how many records will fall, but there's the possibility we set new daily records on Saturday and Sunday — and an outside chance we break the all-time hottest May temperature as well.

Hot, potentially record-breaking weather is forecast for southern New England this weekend. (Courtesy NOAA)
Hot, potentially record-breaking weather is forecast for southern New England this weekend. (Courtesy NOAA)

We haven't seen two back-to-back days of 90-degree weather since 2017, and it's highly likely we will over the weekend. The image above gives a great summary of the records that could be broken over the next few days.

If you're not a fan of the heat, Friday is your day to enjoy. Temperatures in the afternoon will be in the 70s, along with plenty of sunshine. It will remain cooler over the Cape and the islands, where readings will stay in the 60s. It may be a bit warmer inland, with readings near 80.

Saturday starts comfortable, but will become hot by early afternoon. There may be some clouds and even a quick shower early in the morning.

Temperatures will slowly rise Saturday at sunrise before taking off the hot levels by early afternoon. (Courtesy NOAA)
Temperatures will slowly rise Saturday at sunrise before taking off to the hot levels by early afternoon. (Courtesy NOAA)

Sunday is a hotter day and starts 10 degrees warmer. This is the day where the potential for new records is greatest. It will be in the 60s and lower 70s over Cape Cod.

Sunday turns very hot with readings in the 90s over much of the region. (Courtesy WeatherBELL)
Sunday turns very hot with readings in the 90s over much of the region. (Courtesy WeatherBELL)

This may just be a taste of things to come. The long range outlook for the summer released by the National Weather Service indicates a good chance of warmer than average conditions for the entire summer. It's worth noting that since 2010, we've had five of the hottest summers on record, including last year, which was the hottest on record.

Even though last July was cooler than average, it was so hot in June and August it more than made up for it. July 2021 would actually have been almost normal at the turn of the 20th century — another indicator of how much our climate has changed.

The forecast for the upcoming summer is for hotter than average conditions again this year in New England. (Courtesy NWS)
The forecast for the upcoming summer is for hotter than average conditions again this year in New England. (Courtesy NWS)

Look for a return to temperatures in the 70s on Monday, and then it will turn cooler at the coast, with readings in the 60s for the middle part of the upcoming week due to a seabreeze. We still desperately need rain as the dry pattern continues.

Related:

Headshot of David Epstein

David Epstein Meteorologist
David Epstein was WBUR's meteorologist.

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