Some of Northeast to dodge storms on July 4th -- but not steamy air
Fairly typical heat and humidity with areas of thunderstorms are in store for the northeastern United States through the Fourth of July, as well as the end of this week.
The summery conditions are following a dip in humidity levels and temperatures on Sunday and Monday.
The sharp southward dip in the jet stream that helped to usher in cooler and less humid air, along with gusty winds, has shifted northeastward. More typical light summertime breezes are in store through Friday.
Just enough of a southerly breeze will allow humidity levels to climb with widespread highs in the 80s to the middle 90s F.
Even though high temperatures in many areas may only be a few degrees above average for early July, the uptick in humidity will push AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures significantly higher.
The RealFeel Temperature is a more realistic interpretation of how hot the weather feels to the body. This measure incorporates additional factors beyond temperature and humidity levels, including wind and sunshine.
RealFeel Temperatures are forecast to range between 90 and 100 as far north as much of upstate New York state and northern New England through the latter part of this week.
However, RealFeel Temperatures will approach 100 to 105 in some of the major mid-Atlantic cities, including Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.
Taking breaks from the heat and staying hydrated will be essential whether on vacation, working outdoors or cooking without air conditioning in the kitchen.
Through Friday, necessary strenuous activity should be avoided during the afternoon hours, when the sun is high in the sky and temperatures are at their peak.
The conditions much of this week will make for fine beach and swimming weather, but there are likely to be thundery consequences as the week progresses.
Along with the uptick in humidity will come spotty thunderstorms. A couple of wrinkles in the lifting jet stream can allow a thunderstorm or two to cross the region.
However, on Independence Day, more general thunderstorm activity is anticipated over the mid-Atlantic region as well as the central Appalachians and eastern Great Lakes.
While there is better than a 50/50 chance of a thunderstorm in these areas, the chance will decrease substantially farther to the northeast.
Some of the strongest storms are likely to erupt from central Pennsylvania to eastern Georgia during the afternoon hours. These storms will then crawl eastward during the evening.
At this time, it appears that much of central and eastern New England, including Boston, will be free of rain on the Fourth of July.
"We expect storms to stay south and west of New York City during Thursday evening fireworks," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.
For those taking a dip in the Atlantic, storms typically avoid the beaches during the daytime, due to a sea breeze. As the sea breeze weakens in the evening, dwindling thunderstorms may then make their way to the ocean.
Surf temperatures range from a chilly 60 in southern Maine to near 80 in southeastern Virginia.
During this weekend, slightly less humid air will filter in over the interior Northeast.
However, the leading edge of that dry air is likely to trigger widespread shower and thunderstorm activity on Saturday. By Sunday, downpours and thunder may retreat to areas from Pennsylvania and New Jersey on southward.
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