Good day to you, denizens of southeastern Vermont. We've been enjoying some early spring-like weather over the past few days, but that is about to come to a crashing halt, to be sure.
Wednesday will be the last of the pleasantly-warm days before we enter the transition into our new summer pattern replete with pulses of heat and humidity. Thursday will feature showers and thunderstorms, before we start warming Friday and Saturday.
For the period of Sunday through Tuesday we could experience a bona fide heat wave, which becomes official when we experience three or more contiguous days of 90-plus degree temperatures. So let's jump into the details!
For Wednesday, we'll enjoy a partly sunny day, but skies will start to cloud up during the second half of the day as low pressure sweeps east from the southern Great Lakes and tracks into northern New England by Thursday. Expect highs in the low to mid 70s and lows in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Some scattered showers will be possible late, but will likely hold off until either side of midnight heading into the pre-dawn hours of Thursday morning.
For Thursday, low pressure in northern New England pushes a warm front and then a cold front through the region, producing showers and thunderstorms during the day, with downpours possible as higher moisture advects into the region along with stronger winds a couple of miles up.
Humidity will increase as well with dewpoint temperatures in the 60s. Expect high air temps in the mid 70s and lows in the low 60s.
For Friday, the storm clears out to our east, and we will warm right up with highs in the mid 80s and lows in the low to mid 60s with a fairly muggy feel through Saturday. More sunshine on Saturday will push highs into the mid to possibly upper 80s.
Once we reach the Sunday to Tuesday period, a powerful mid-level ridge will drift right overhead, producing some of the hottest and most humid conditions of the 2018 warm season. Expect highs all three days to be in the low to mid 90s, with plenty of sunshine and very humid conditions. Lows will be in the upper 60s.
Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, and plan your ways to cool down during the upcoming heat wave. And of course, take care of elderly folks or those who have respiratory problems. Have a great week!