Boston Sizzles Under Dangerous Heat Dome!
Boston is currently baking under a relentless heatwave, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 100 degrees on Tuesday afternoon. The city is teetering on the brink of breaking its all-time record high of 104 degrees, set way back in 1911.
Residents are desperately seeking refuge from the sweltering heat, many fleeing their apartments, which often lack air conditioning. Workers are arming themselves with frozen water bottles and ducking into air-conditioned stores during their breaks. Parents are wisely keeping their children home from summer camps, and dog owners are protecting their furry friends' paws with booties to prevent burns from the scorching asphalt.
Even the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is taking precautions, warning commuters that trains may operate at reduced speeds to mitigate heat-related stress on the tracks. Feels-like temperatures reached as high as 109 degrees in some areas.
One Greenway sanitation worker, Pablo Rodriguez Andrade, summed up the situation perfectly: "Oh my god, horrible!" he exclaimed, shaking his head. He was tasked with litter pick-up in the blazing sun for eight long hours.
Heat Emergency Declared
The city declared a heat emergency on Sunday, urging residents to take necessary precautions amid the hazardous conditions. Extreme heat warnings are in effect for much of Greater Boston until Tuesday evening.
The NBC10 Boston weather team forecasts a high temperature of 100 degrees by Tuesday afternoon!
Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating heat waves, making them hotter and longer. Projections indicate that heat index values exceeding 100 degrees will become three times more frequent in the Northeastern U.S. by mid-century if fossil fuel consumption isn't drastically reduced.
While Wednesday will bring some relief, with highs in the upper 80s in Boston, MetroWest will still experience temperatures in the low to mid 90s. Scattered showers are possible on Thursday.
Stay safe during this extreme heat! Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and pace yourself if you must work outdoors.