Drenching Rain Could Follow Intense Heat In MA

BOSTON — Intense heat is expected to send temperatures soaring into the 100s in some areas of Massachusetts Thursday, likely smashing Boston's record for the hottest Aug. 4 which was set in 1928 when the mercury reached 96 degrees.

And a cold front expected to sweep into the Bay State Friday isn't likely to provide much relief either. Friday isn't expected to be as hot, but the humidity will make it feel just as unbearable.

With the cold front will also come a few storms providing heavy rain, giving Massachusetts an almost tropical feel as the temperatures linger in the upper 90s, AccuWeather says.

The heavy rain could be helpful for most of Massachusetts, which remains under a severe drought. Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Beth Card declared a Level 3-Critical Drought in the Northeast and Central Regions of the state last month, explaining that 43 percent of the state is under severe drought and the rest of the state is in a moderate drought.

Due to these high levels of heat, the National Weather Service declared all of Massachusetts under a heat advisory through next Wednesday.

Here's what the rest of the week will look like, according to AccuWeather:

Thursday
Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 100. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday
A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 p.m. It'll be partly sunny, with a high near 94. Heavy rainfall is possible and the chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Friday night will have a higher chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 a.m. It should stay mostly cloudy, with a low around 74. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Saturday
A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 95. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph. Sunday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 75.

Monday
A chance of showers after 9 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Monday night will bring a chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. North wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.