Heat, humidity to swelter Ohio Valley and Northeast by midweek

By Renee Duff, AccuWeather meteorologist

Updated jun. 8, 2020 2:57 PM

Summertime heat and humidity will shift eastward across the United States into the middle of the week, and forecasters say Cristobal's path will play a part in temperatures reaching near-record high levels in some locations.

Due to the counterclockwise flow of air around Cristobal, warm, humid air will spread northward to the east of the storm's track as it races northward across the Mississippi River Valley through Tuesday night.

This will place locations such as Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Buffalo, New York, in the core of the surge of steamy air.

"Temperatures will end up being 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal with a scattering of 90s F," AccuWeather Meteorologist Tyler Roys said.

Factoring in humidity and sunshine, AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures are likely to run 4-8 degrees above the actual thermometer reading during the afternoon hours.

"Anyone outdoors will need to stay hydrated and reduce strenuous activities if possible," AccuWeather Meteorologist Ryan Adamson said.

Remember to never leave a child or pet in a locked vehicle, even with the windows cracked, as the temperature can rise to lethal levels in a matter of minutes.

The heat could even stamp its mark in the record books in a few locations. Pittsburgh is forecast to tie its 1933 daily record of 94 on Tuesday. This would also mark the city's first day this year to hit the 90-degree mark. State College, Pennsylvania, could also reach this threshold for the first time this year on Tuesday.

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The core of the heat is expected to expand farther to the east at midweek, with record high temperatures in the lower to middle 90s F possible around Syracuse and Albany, New York, and Scranton, Pennsylvania.

If Buffalo reaches 91 F on Wednesday as forecast, this would tie the city's daily record set way back in 1895.

Along the Interstate-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia, record heat is not in store, but air conditioners will be running at full throttle with highs in the lower to middle 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday. A slight breeze off the ocean will keep Boston and New York City from coming close to 90 either day.

Related:

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With pools and parks beginning to reopen with some modifications amid the pandemic, these days should offer great opportunities to take a dip.

However, those outside during Wednesday afternoon will need to keep a close watch on the sky or their AccuWeather app as showers and heavy thunderstorms will be marching eastward along a cold front. The bulk of the storms may hold off until Wednesday night for most of the Northeast.

Given the hot, humid air in place, some of the storms could be heavy to locally severe in nature.

Behind the front, temperatures will be trimmed by 5-15 degrees across the region late in the week.

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