A May scorcher: Boston sets heat record before noon

It didn't take long for Boston to break its record-high temperature for the day.

The thermometer ticked past 90 degrees at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with temperatures continuing to rise, making it the warmest May 19 on record.

With the day still young, the city could break more records. Boston has not reached 95 degrees in May since 2017. And the all-time high for the month of May — a scorching 97 degrees — was set back in 1880.

Wednesday will be no relief, with a forecasted high of 91 degrees. If the city meets that mark, it'll tie a record set in 1996.

State officials put a giddyup on their plan to open spray parks ahead of the sweltering heat. The cooling spots were opened Tuesday, five days ahead of schedule.

The break in temps should come later on Wednesday, when a front moves through the region, ushering in thunderstorms and a deep drop in the mercury. Expect high temperatures in the mid-60s for Thursday, representing a 20-30 degree drop in just a day.

Boston should close out the month at or slightly above normal high temperatures in the 70s.