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Boston hits second heat wave of the year before summer even starts – Metro US

Boston hits second heat wave of the year before summer even starts

Boston

It’s not even officially summer yet and Boston has already hit its second heat wave.

As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Boston tipped the thermometer to 91 degrees, marking the second heat wave so far this year. An official heat wave requires that temperatures meet or exceed 90 degrees for three consecutive days, according to the National Weather Service.

Boston’s first heat wave was back in May, when temperatures climbed to a new record high of 92 degrees on May 18. Previously, the record temp was 91 degrees, set on May 18, 1936.

That heatwave was one of the earliest on record for the city. This second heat wave, before the official start on summer on June 21, makes this year the earliest Boston has ever seen two heat waves since record keeping began in 1872.

 

City officials are warning Bostonians to keep cool in the sweltering temps. Mayor Marty Walsh opened the Boston Centers for Youth & Families cooling centers on Tuesday to provide some relief to residents.

Standalone BCYF sites are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and the school-based sites are open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. The centers also have 16 total indoor pools open to all. Find a center here.

Though we are in a heat wave and a heat advisory has been issued, the city hasn’t yet declared a heat emergency, a marker reserved for when temperatures reach 95 degrees or higher for at least three consecutive days.

 

Relief should be on the way soon though, forecasters report, as Tuesday afternoon has a high potential for thunderstorms that will bring in more mild weather.

The thunderstorms could be severe, according to the National Weather Service, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds. Scattered storms could start as early as Tuesday afternoon, mainly after 2 p.m., and go into tonight.

Tomorrow should be a beautiful (and bearable) sunny, 75-degree day.