'Oppressive' Heat Wave Expected To Hit Parts Of MA This Week

BOSTON — Massachusetts residents, are you ready to flock to the beach - or maybe just hide inside an air-conditioned room? Either way, a heat wave may come to the Bay State, bringing in over 90-degree days for five straight days.

Boston is expected to get its first heat wave of the season starting Tuesday after some potentially severe weather Monday day into night, according to the National Weather Service.

The NWS has issued a hazardous weather alert for Monday, as showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected from noon to 10 p.m. Strong to severe storms are possible with the main risk of damaging wind gusts and locally heavy downpours. Central and western Massachusetts may even see potential tornadoes.

Then starting Tuesday, the temperatures are expected to slide up into the low 90s. Temperatures could be above 90 degrees from Tuesday through Saturday. An official heat wave is declared when the mercury hits 90 degrees for three straight days.

According to the NWS, Boston has only had two days of 90 degrees and up.

On Thursday, parts of Massachusetts are expected to get thunderstorms and chances of rain - something the Bay State desperately needs, as Boston is in what the U.S. Drought Monitor calls a moderate drought - and northeastern Massachusetts is facing what the agency calls a severe drought.

Heat Index values range is expected to range from 90 to 100 away from the Islands from Tuesday to Thursday with an expected peak of the heat to hit Wednesday and Thursday.

Here's a breakdown of this week's weather, according to the NWS:

Monday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after noon. It should stay pretty cloudy, with a high near 82. The chance of precipitation is at 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. By Monday night, there will be a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 a.m. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. By nightfall, it should be cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. The chance of precipitation remains at 40 percent.

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 93. Tuesday night will be mostly clear with a low around 73.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 95. Wednesday night should be mostly clear, with a low around 75. South wind 6 to 8 mph.

Thursday

A chance of showers after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. South wind 9 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Thursday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 90. West wind 8 to 10 mph. Friday night is expected to be clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind 6 to 8 mph.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Saturday night should be partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Sunday

Chance of showers. It's expected to be mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Southwest wind 6 to 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30 percent.