MANY have been reaching out on social media and via email to ask, why does it FEEL so hot?  The answer is simple. It’s the amount of moisture in the air that is making it feel “extreme”.

If it feels out of the ordinary, that is because it is.  We don’t normally keep dew point temperatures in the mid and upper 70s sans tropical storms and hurricanes.  The basic set up from last week (the position of the high off the coast and low pressure in the south) basically took the air over the tropics and brought it north.

Dew point numbers are normally locked into the mid 70s in South Florida this time of year.  If you’re wondering what it feels like to live there, that is the kind of weather we have been experiencing here the last couple of days.

For example take a look at the dew point forecast for South Florida and the Keys for Saturday.

Dew point forecast (GFS) For Saturday in South Florida

now take a look at the dew point forecast for Connecticut.  Gross, is the only way to describe it.  We will have dew points (see image below) in the mid and upper 70s with some relief on Sunday and Monday.

The GFS dew point forecast for New England on Saturday.

Until then, we can’t stress enough, lots of water and if you have respiratory issues, it will be important to stay near AC or find some if you can.  Local cooling shelters will be open for those who don’t have a way to stay cool.

Relief in sight?  Sort of.  Take a look at Tuesday (below).  Notice the 50’s for dew point temps, that will feel REFRESHING!  However, it will not stick around, the tropical air makes a return to the middle and end of next week.

The GFS dew point forecast for Tuesday. Note the 50’s for dew points (refreshing)

If you are a summer fan, you are certainly getting your fair share of summer warmth!  Keep in mind, we have already, climatologically, reached our maximum high temp for the year.  Our average high was 85 but we’re now falling through the low 80s.  It’s all down from here.  But.. as you can see by the temps in the 90s this week, average is .. just an average.

Stay cool.