We're in for another scorching Boston summer
Weather for the summer is predicted to be hotter and wetter than we have experienced in the past. As Epstein wrote, 'We've got plenty of heat and humidity on the way. So if you're not a fan of summer, buckle up, it's going to be a hot ride.'
But I don't want to buckle up. I want cool breezes and temperate days when we can enjoy the outdoors and not have to stay in air conditioning to be comfortable. I would like each of us to realize that the energy (heat) we are adding to Earth's atmosphere is destroying nature's balance.
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We need to insist on measures that help keep us safe, like reduced emissions. And we need to listen to the climate scientists and meteorologists who are warning us. Then we need to support efforts to maintain a healthy climate.
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(Thank you, Boston Globe, for printing weather data as the Trump administration
Angela Lomanto
Great Barrington
Climate change also means more wildfires
Re: "
When I awoke to see an orange-gray sky on the morning of June 4, I was reminded of the 2021 movie '
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The unusual sky was caused by smoke from wildfires burning in Canada, approximately 2,000 miles from Boston. Climate change doesn't ignite forest fires, but it creates the conditions that make fires more likely to happen and more severe when they do.
Climate change is making summers hotter and windier and causing longer, drier fire seasons. Lightning strikes, the most common direct cause of wildfires, are
'Don't Look Up' depicted what happens when politics takes precedence over planetary survival. This week's smoky skies are climate change in action, yet Washington continues to approve new fossil fuel projects. It's time to look up and confront this threat without political blinders.
Frederick Hewett
Cambridge
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Boston Globe
16 hours ago
- Boston Globe
We're in for another scorching Boston summer
Weather for the summer is predicted to be hotter and wetter than we have experienced in the past. As Epstein wrote, 'We've got plenty of heat and humidity on the way. So if you're not a fan of summer, buckle up, it's going to be a hot ride.' But I don't want to buckle up. I want cool breezes and temperate days when we can enjoy the outdoors and not have to stay in air conditioning to be comfortable. I would like each of us to realize that the energy (heat) we are adding to Earth's atmosphere is destroying nature's balance. Advertisement We need to insist on measures that help keep us safe, like reduced emissions. And we need to listen to the climate scientists and meteorologists who are warning us. Then we need to support efforts to maintain a healthy climate. Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up (Thank you, Boston Globe, for printing weather data as the Trump administration Angela Lomanto Great Barrington Climate change also means more wildfires Re: " When I awoke to see an orange-gray sky on the morning of June 4, I was reminded of the 2021 movie ' Advertisement The unusual sky was caused by smoke from wildfires burning in Canada, approximately 2,000 miles from Boston. Climate change doesn't ignite forest fires, but it creates the conditions that make fires more likely to happen and more severe when they do. Climate change is making summers hotter and windier and causing longer, drier fire seasons. Lightning strikes, the most common direct cause of wildfires, are 'Don't Look Up' depicted what happens when politics takes precedence over planetary survival. This week's smoky skies are climate change in action, yet Washington continues to approve new fossil fuel projects. It's time to look up and confront this threat without political blinders. Frederick Hewett Cambridge
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Heat peaks in Boston Thursday, paired with humidity and hazy skies
A weak front will enter New England from the west, sparking a handful of thunderstorms across Northern New England and Western Mass. Thursday afternoon and evening. A pocket of dry air by the coast should help break down the storms and keep Boston dry outside of a lingering sprinkle. Clouds enter the region shortly after sunset — a red sunset most likely — with lows slipping to the mid- and upper 60s. Advertisement The setup — heat, humidity, and hazy skies The massive dome of high pressure will break down and shift east on Thursday, but not before transforming the region into a typical hot and muggy summer day. There will be a decent southwesterly flow that will push moist air into the region ahead of a weak front approaching, setting up the chance for afternoon and evening thunderstorms across Western and Central New England. Much of the day will be mostly sunny but haze will stick around to block out the sun a touch. The line of scattered storms will likely dry out by the time they reach Boston and the rest of the coast — all of I-95 shouldn't see anything more than a spot sprinkle. But wherever they do form farther west, there could be a decent brief downpour, gusty winds, and small hail. Rain totals should not exceed more than a half inch. Advertisement A mostly sunny start will eventually change to scattered showers and thunderstorms pushing in New England during Thursday afternoon. Boston Globe An isolated severe thunderstorm is possible across Northern New England and Berkshire County. Boston might see a lingering shower or storm late. Boston Globe Temperatures are set to surge as the southerly flow will squeeze with the approaching frontal boundary, prompting a moderate flow to make the 90s a real shot for Boston. Most of Southern New England will see the upper 80s with a smattering of low 90s. The record daily high for Boston on Thursday is 96 degrees, set in 1919. But a few tied or new records could be set west of I-495. Temperatures will soar into the 90s for parts of New England, for the hottest day of the year-to-date. Boston Globe One thing you'll for sure notice is the muggy air. It'll feel like a peak summer day with dew points well into the 60s, making it feel a bit uncomfortable. Dew points in the 60s with hot temperatures make the air very buoyant and easy to lift. That's what'll happen with thunderstorms Thursday afternoon when the front, holding more dense air will lift warm, moist air vertically and spark thunderstorms. Dew points will jump into the 60s across Southern New England Thursday afternoon, making the air feel thick and sticky. Boston Globe Wildfire smoke will start to lift during the evening Thursday. Canadian wildfire smoke will continue to linger near the surface throughout much of Thursday. Boston Globe Weekend preview I wish I wasn't writing this, but it does appear that we're in for some rain for the 13th weekend in a row in Greater Boston with Saturday circled on the calendar. Saturday morning looks to be the highest chance for rain with the afternoon and evening in better shape to stay dry. Sunday should have a good shot of staying completely dry. Advertisement A look at weather across Boston for the next seven days. Boston Globe Thursday's breakdown Greater Boston: Mostly sunny with hazy skies. Highs build close to 90 degrees. Dew points into the low 60s making it feel muggy. A chance for a spot shower late with increasing clouds at night as lows slip to the mid-60s. Southeastern Mass.: Mostly sunny with a slight breeze. Hazy skies remain, with highs in the low 80s along the coast, jumping to the upper 80s inland. A low chance for a sprinkle late under partly cloudy skies as lows drop to the mid-60s. Central/Western Mass.: Mostly sunny with hazy skies. Heat builds highs into the 90s from Worcester to Springfield. Berkshires to the mid-80s. A scattered shower or thunderstorm is possible Thursday evening from Berkshire County to Worcester. Lows to the low 60s under partly cloudy skies. Cape and Islands: Seeing mostly sunny skies blend with haze as highs reach the upper 70s and low 80s. An onshore breeze to about 10 mph. Increasing clouds late in the evening with lows to the mid-60s. Rhode Island: Hot and hazy under mostly cloudy skies. Highs to the upper 80s. Westerly to Newport stalls in the low 80s. Increasing clouds late in the evening with a near-zero chance for a sprinkle. Lows to the mid-60s. New Hampshire: Summer heat with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. Mostly sunny skies with haze still sticking around. The a chance of a shower or thunderstorm Thursday afternoon and early evening. Lows to the upper 50s and low 60s. Vermont/Maine: Mostly sunny across both states most of the day with hazy skies. Highs to the upper 80s and low 90s. Clouds build across Vermont in the afternoon, later for Maine, as a front sparks a line of scattered showers and thunderstorms. A low chance for a severe storm in Vermont with small hail and strong wind gusts. Lows slip to the upper 50s and low 60s. Advertisement for our , which will arrive straight into your inbox bright and early each weekday morning. Ken Mahan can be reached at
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Boston Globe
Maps: See how Canadian wildfire smoke is impacting Mass., New England
Be sure to monitor the air quality near you and limit time outdoors if you have respiratory challenges, like asthma. Here's what the maps and images show: Advertisement Satellite imagery tracks the dull gray smoke spreading over New England and mixing with some clouds, which look like brighter white cotton balls. Wildfire smoke (dull gray) blankets New England on Wednesday. NOAA Smoke and ozone particulates from sinking air have prompted air quality alerts for parts of New England throughout Wednesday and most of Thursday. Most of Connecticut is under air quality alerts, as is part of Central Mass., a portion of Southern New Hampshire, and much of the Maine coast. Air quality alerts are in place for Wednesday and Thursday with wildfire smoke and ozone particulate matter close to the surface. Boston Globe This graphic shows near-surface smoke in the region over the next two days. Near-surface smoke will spread through New England Wednesday and most of Thursday. Boston Globe Air quality across New England remains mostly in good shape, but a few spots saw moderate levels of poor air quality Wednesday morning. Most of the air quality across New England remains in good status, with a few moderate levels across Northern New England. AirNow In parts of Maine, wildfire smoke obscured the sun Wednesday morning. Western Canadian (Manitoba) Wildfire Smoke overhead today. Its impacting incoming solar radiation to the surface. 9:30am yesterday 668 W/m2, today at 9:30am only 514 W/m2. 9:30am yesterday brightness of 80171 lux vs 9:30am today of 61631 lux. — James Sinko (@JamesSinko) These photos captured Tuesday night's sunset as wildfire smoke began to push into Portsmouth, N.H. Advertisement Tonight was the first red orb sunset of the season (wildfire smoke). -- June 3, 2025 Portsmouth, New Hampshire — Rob Wright Images (@RobWrightImages) The orange sun set on the horizon Tuesday night from the top of Mount Washington. Smoke from distant wildfires in Canada shrouded parts of New England today, creating a hazy look to the sky. Smoke will continue to blanket our area tomorrow, keeping skies hazy and lowering air quality in some areas. — Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS) (@MWObs) More than 200 wildfires extend across the central and western portions of Canada. Over 200 wildfires burn across Central and Western Canada, sending smoke downstream into the Northeast. FIRMS Ken Mahan can be reached at
