Brutal Temperatures Expected for Many on Wednesday, but Relief Is Near

Relief is in sight, but hot temperatures are expected for another day — at least — across much of the Eastern United States, forecasters said, with a break in the heat possible in many areas on Thursday.

That would signal an end to a dangerous and unrelenting heat wave that has gripped large swaths of the central and eastern parts of the country, sending temperatures and humidity levels soaring.

On Tuesday, more than 20 locations across the East recorded temperatures in the triple digits. One of the highest readings was in Baltimore, where the temperature reached 105 degrees Fahrenheit, making it the city’s hottest June 24 in 15 years.

Not far behind was Newark, where a high of 103 surpassed its previous record for the day of 97 degrees, set in 1966, and matched its record high for the month, set in 2021. At the airport in Atlantic City, N.J., the temperature rose to 102 degrees, the highest there since July 2011.

Four locations in and near New York City recorded temperatures of 100 degrees or more, including Kennedy International Airport, which reached 102 degrees. That broke the airport’s longstanding record for the month of June of 99 degrees, set in 1964.

Central Park, home to the city’s official climate station, hit 99 degrees, breaking a June 24 record that had stood since 1888. Tuesday also was New York City’s hottest day since 2012.

Heat advisories remained in effect on Wednesday across much of the central and eastern United States, with extreme heat warnings in place through the evening along a wide stretch of the East Coast, from central and eastern North Carolina to New Jersey. Portions of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio were also under extreme heat warnings.

Heat index values — a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is combined with air temperature — were expected to reach as high as 110 degrees in parts of New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia.

“There will probably be some 100 degree temperatures,” he said on Wednesday. “But across the East, after today, it doesn’t look like anymore 100 degree temperatures for a while.”

The high-pressure system that has lingered over the East is forecast to weaken starting midweek, with a cold front also expected to push southward. That should bring some relief, particularly in the Northeast, where even below-average temperatures are likely.

“For Saturday in Boston, it’s forecast to be 68 degrees Fahrenheit,” Mr. Oravec said. “That’s, like, some 30-plus degrees cooler than it was a few days ago.”

Still, he noted that not all regions would escape the heat. Areas from the Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic will most likely remain warm into the weekend.

“There’s still going to be an area of 85- and 90-degree temperatures,” he said. “Still warmer than average, but no records.”