PROVIDENCE − Residents of Southern New England have to endure one more day of "dangerous heat and humidity" and the threat of thunderstorms before cooler, drier air moves into the region, according to the National Weather Service.
"Dangerous heat and humidity will continue today. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will move into the region this evening before weakening," the weather service says in its forecast discussion.
"After an extended period of hot, muggy , and unsettled weather, a major pattern change is store for (Southern New England) starting Thursday," as a cold front brings "much more comfortable temperatures and dewpoints to the region Thursday afternoon," the weather service says.
Explaining why the humidity has been so intense
Dew points, a way to measure humidity , will fall into the low 60s "to even the upper 50s," and stay there through the weekend, the weather service says.
Andrew Locono, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Norton, Massachusetts, said dew points will fall 8 to 10 degrees below what they've been during the hot and humid spell. "It may still feel a little humid to the average individual, but it's far more tolerable," he said.
When dew points reach 65 or higher, it feels really "sticky;" when dew points climb into the 70s, "it almost feels like a punch in the face when you step outside," Locono said.
On Friday, dew points are expected to drop below 60. "That's going to feel like fall," Locono said.
Providence nears second heat wave of the summer
The high temperature in Providence reached 91 degrees on Monday and Tuesday. It's forecast to reach 90 degrees on Wednesday under mostly sunny skies. If it does reach 90 degrees, it will mark the summer's second heat save , three or more consecutive days of 90 degrees or higher.
Rhode Island residents have sought a variety of methods to beat the heat. The City of Providence extended the hours at its pools, water parks and splash pads. In South Kingston, the Boss Ice Arena at the University of Rhode Island is open from 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday for anyone who wants to escape the heat. Public skating is free from 3 to 5 p.m.
A heat advisory, which went into effect Monday morning, is set to expire at 8 p.m. today, according to the weather service.
High temperatures in Providence should range from the mid to upper 80s Thursday through Sunday, and it doesn't look like rain will spoil any outdoor plans.
"As for precipitation, high pressure and rather dry airmass will drop down from Canada, helping suppress rain and thunderstorm chances through the weekend," the weather service says.
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: OK RI, one more day of 'dangerous' heat before cooler, drier air moves in
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