The weather is set to shift, providing a significant touch of summer to America's eastern regions.
In the upcoming days, temperatures are predicted to rise up to 15°F above the average for June, breaking numerous daily high temperature records as heat dominates the west and moves eastward. This sweltering heat hasn't made an appearance just for a brief spell; it seems like it's here to stay as a summer marked by high temperatures begins to unfold.
Since last week, portions of the west have baked under a powerful heat dome. Now, some of this intense heat and extra helpings of hot air from Mexico will spread further across America. The jet stream, a stream of rapid air circulating in the upper atmosphere that separates hot and cold air, is gradually migrating northward across central and eastern states.
For a handful of places, a short-lived reprieve from the heat is on the way, yet a cool-down is imminent. For many others, the heat is persistent. A significant shift will occur on Thursday: the Plains and the East Coast will experience a considerable temperature increase, much different from the cool weather conditions experienced at the beginning of the week.
Temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s are expected to dominate the Midwest, the Southeast, the Ohio Valley, and the mid-Atlantic. A number of cities will witness their warmest day this year on Thursday, but the temperatures will fall short of record levels.
As humidity levels rise along with the temperatures, conditions will become incredibly uncomfortable.
The thermometer in St. Louis still hasn't surpassed 90°F this year, but that's bound to change on Thursday, with high temperatures reaching around 96°F. The heat index may reach near 100°F.
Friday will bring more intense heat to the Gulf Coast, the Southeast, and the mid-Atlantic, as hot air pushes northward. The upper 90s and low 100s could be common from Texas to Georgia and through parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
On Friday, Washington, DC will face its hottest day of the year with highs potentially reaching the mid-90s, which is approximately 10°F warmer than normal.
By Saturday, the worst of the heat will be felt in the Gulf Coast and the Southeast, but conditions will become slightly more bearable for regions further north due to the passing of a cold front.
Atlanta is predicted to hit 99°F on Saturday, making it both the hottest temperature for that date and the hottest reading of the year so far. If the temperature rises to 100°F, it will be the first time the city experiences triple-digit temperatures since August 2019.
Apart from Atlanta, a number of other Southeast cities, such as Birmingham and Montgomery in Alabama, New Orleans and Baton Rouge in Louisiana, may also break their respective Saturday record highs with highs of 90°F or higher.
Throughout Sunday, heat will build once more over much of the central and eastern U.S., as the jet stream settles near the U.S.-Canadian border and high pressure prevails in the upper atmosphere.
Anyone on the lookout for relief finds none. The East can anticipate a long-lasting heat dome manifesting early next week, pushing temperatures even higher.
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In the east, the intense heat from the west and Mexico is set to spread further, following the migration of the jet stream northward. The Plains and the East Coast are expected to experience a significant temperature increase on Thursday.
