Highs for Today (7/26/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 89°
Chicopee - 87°
North Adams - 85°
Orange - 84°
Pittsfield - 79°

Highs for Today (7/25/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 86°
Chicopee - 84°
Orange - 83°
North Adams - 79°
Pittsfield - 79°

Rare Moderate Risk Issued for the Northeast Tomorrow (7/26/2012)

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) has outlined a rare moderate risk of severe weather for the Northeast in their Day 2 Convective Outlook which includes Western Massachusetts. Such a thing is quite rare here especially one day out so I can't stress enough that it needs to be taken seriously. The top left image indicates a moderate risk for portions of our area (slight risk elsewhere). The top right image indicates a 45% chance of severe weather at any one location inside the moderate risk. Severe weather ingredients are coming together for a possible severe weather event on Thursday. Temps near 90° and dew points in the low to mid 60s will provide 2500-4000 J/kg Surface CAPE and -5°C to -7°C Lifted Index which are sufficient for severe weather here. Combined that with about 40-50kts 0-6km bulk shear, an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. Timing of the storms seems to be afternoon into the evening hours but we may contend with a few showers in the morning. Tomorrow's event is highly dependent on how much daytime heating we get and if we can get rid of the morning clouds/debris quickly. Main threats are damaging winds, large hail, heavy flooding rains and maybe even an isolated tornado. The SPC did mention a derecho but I'm hesistant if there really is one tomorrow. No question the potential is there for a widespread wind damage but there are criterias that need to be met for a true "derecho" like length of the squall line, duration, and continuous severe wind reports along the way. But having the SPC mentioning it upfront is certainly telling that this is no ordinary threat. Stay tuned and follow my Twitter (@SenhW) for the latest on the severe weather potential tomorrow!

Post-Storm Summary, Highs for Today (7/24/2012)

Post-Storm Summary: We had showers and thunderstorms today but most of the action centered in Northern New England and Central and Eastern Southern New England. NWS issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden counties until 8 PM but it expired early. A round of thunderstorms entered our region exiting from Vermont around 2 PM. These thunderstorms tracked southeast overspreading heavy rain and downpours across the region. One such thunderstorm strengthened upon exiting the Orange, MA area and became severe in Worcester County. Otherwise, most of the region primarily dealt with showers and downpours and occasional lightning. No storms here were severe.

Local Storm Reports (1):
3:22 PM - Thunderstorm Wind Damage - Ware, MA (Hampshire County) - TREE DOWN ON ROUTE 32

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 93°
Chicopee - 91°
Orange - 87°
North Adams - 85°
Pittsfield - 85°

Highs for Today (7/23/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

North Adams - 87°
Westfield - 87°
Chicopee - 86°
Orange - 85°
Pittsfield - 82°

Highs for Today (7/22/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 88°
Westfield - 88°
North Adams - 86°
Orange - 86°
Pittsfield - 84°

Hot, Humid, and Stormy Mon & Tues, Beauty by Mid-Week! (7/22-7/28)

After experiencing very comfortable and beautiful weather the past few days, the humid airmass once again arrives in time for the work week. With it brings the chance of showers and thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday. Dew points will soar into the upper 60s and between 1000-2000 surface base CAPE values are forecasted per models both days. These values increase the potential for development of severe weather. Tuesday looks to be more conducive for severe weather than Monday as instability increases in response to a cold front passing through. At this point, the rain does not look like to be widespread which is unfortunate because we do need the rain badly here. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor graphic confirms that Western Massachusetts is under a moderate drought (see graphic). Generally, expect afternoon and evening thunderstorms both days with an increased coverage of thunderstorms on Tuesday. Highs will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s with heat indices making it feel near mid 90s at times. Best chance of a pop-up thunderstorm on Monday is in the western portions of the region while on Tuesday, the best chance is east. A reminder... any thunderstorms have the potential to produce heavy rain in a short period of time. Also, be wise and get indoors if you hear thunder. Heed the warnings if a Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued for your area. Once the cold front kicks away the muggy airmass, we are awarded with two days of splendid, sunny, summer weather on Wednesday and Thursday. Both days feature less humidity, sunny skies, and highs in the lower to mid 80s. After Thursday, things become uncertain. There could be another front working its way here bringing another round of showers and thunderstorms or the nice weather continues into next weekend. Time will tell. That's it folks...enjoy the upcoming week and make sure to keep it locked here and follow my Twitter for the very latest on the severe weather potential!

Highs for Today (7/21/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 84°
North Adams - 83°
Westfield - 83°
Orange - 82°
Pittsfield - 82°

Highs for Today (7/20/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

North Adams - 72°
Orange - 72°
Westfield - 72°
Chicopee - 71°
Pittsfield - 68°

Highs for Today (7/19/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 86°
Orange - 84°
Westfield - 84°
Pittsfield - 82°
North Adams - 81°

Highs for Today (7/18/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 99° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 3 consecutive days of 90° or above)
Chicopee - 95° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 3 consecutive days of 90° or above)
Orange - 92° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 3 consecutive days of 90° or above)
Pittsfield - 88°
North Adams - 84°

Also, of note, Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, CT reached a high of 100° today which broke the record of 99° set in 1982.

Highs for Today (7/17/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 100° (2 consecutive days of 90° or above)
Chicopee - 98° (2 consecutive days of 90° or above)
Orange - 96° (2 consecutive days of 90° or above)
North Adams - 94°
Pittsfield - 91°

Per NWS Taunton: AT LEAST ONE LOCATION HIT THE CENTURY MARK TODAY...WESTFIELD /KBAF/ MA WITH A HIGH TEMP OF 100F AT 242 PM!

Highs for Today (7/16/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 94°
Chicopee - 92°
Orange - 90°
North Adams - 86°
Pittsfield - 86°

Hazy, Hot, and Humid Week Ahead... Relief After! (July 15th - July 21st)

We are in the midst of a summer pattern here in the Northeast and there's no stopping it! We are finally getting much-needed rain tonight in the form of showers and thunderstorms but it won't be enough to overcome our dry spell we have experienced in the last couple of weeks. After the showers clear out, hot and humid conditions once again return thanks to a subtropical ridge across the Central United States advecting warm air into our region. Monday-Wednesday will mark another grueling heat wave in the Northeast. Low to mid 90s are forecasted for Monday under mostly sunny skies. Tuesday is when we REALLY turn it up. We're talking about temperatures reaching into the upper 90s and a few isolated locations may make a run at the century mark (100°F)! Best chance of that occurring will be in the Connecticut River valley. Wednesday is interesting as a cold front is slated to move through sparking a round of thunderstorms. It is unclear whether these thunderstorms will be severe or the run-of-the-mill types so stay tuned here or follow my Twitter for the latest. As far as temperatures go, upper 80s to lower 90s are expected on Wednesday. Having said all of that, the Berkshires and other higher elevation locations will miss out on the upcoming heat wave. They should remain 5°F and, in some instances, as much as 10°F cooler than their valley counterparts. Regardless of where you are, one thing is certain: the second half of the week looks cooler (in regards to summer) and refreshing! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday feature sunny skies and average temperatures for this time of year. Hang in there... relief is just around the corner!

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 88°
Chicopee - 87°
Orange - 86°
North Adams - 85°
Pittsfield - 82°

Highs for Today (7/14/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 93° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 4 consecutive days of 90° or greater)
Chicopee - 91° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 3 consecutive days of 90° or greater)
Orange - 91°
North Adams - 86°
Pittsfield - 84°

Highs for Today (7/13/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 92° (2 consective days of 90° or greater)
Westfield - 91° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE - 3 consecutive days of 90° or greater)
Orange - 89°
Pittsfield - 89°
North Adams - 88°

Highs for Today (7/12/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 92° (2 consecutive days of 90° or greater)
Orange - 91°
Chicopee - 91°
North Adams - 88°
Pittsfield - 88°

Air Quality Alert for Friday 7/13/2012

The NWS has issued an Air Quality Alert for Hampden County and Eastern Hampshire County from 11 AM to 11 PM EDT tomorrow.

CENTRAL MIDDLESEX MA-WESTERN ESSEX MA-WESTERN HAMPDEN MA-
EASTERN HAMPSHIRE MA-EASTERN HAMPDEN MA-SOUTHERN WORCESTER MA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...FRAMINGHAM...LOWELL...LAWRENCE...
BLANDFORD...AMHERST...NORTHAMPTON...SPRINGFIELD...MILFORD...
WORCESTER
445 PM EDT THU JUL 12 2012

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY...

THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED
AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR GROUND LEVEL OZONE...IN EFFECT FROM
11 AM TO 11 PM EDT FRIDAY.

AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE
CONCENTRATIONS WITHIN THE REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY
STANDARDS.  FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...PLEASE VISIT THE
MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WEBSITE AT...

HTTP://WWW.PUBLIC.DEP.STATE.MA.US/MASSAIR
/ALL LOWERCASE LETTERS/...OR CALL 1-800-882-1497.

Highs for Today (7/11/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 90°
Orange - 88°
Chicopee - 87°
North Adams - 86°
Pittsfield - 85°

From my Twitter (@SenhW): So Westfield DID make it to 90 degrees today in its between hours observation. Sneaky 4 day heat wave today, Thu, Fri, & Sat there? Maybe...

Highs for Today (7/10/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 86°
Westfield - 86°
North Adams - 82°
Orange - 82°
Pittsfield - 82°

Highs for Today (7/9/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 87°
Chicopee - 85°
Orange - 82°
North Adams - 79°
Pittsfield - 79°

Highs for Today (7/8/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 92° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE)
Chicopee - 90°
Orange - 88°
Pittsfield - 85°
North Adams - 84°

Highs for Today (7/7/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 92°
Chicopee - 89°
North Adams - 82°
Orange - 82°
Pittsfield - 82°

Highs for Today - Another Hot One! (7/6/2012)

Yes, it's another balmy day out there as summer is out in full force! Tomorrow is going to be even hotter than today with temperatures reaching into the lower 90s in the higher elevations and mid 90s in the valleys. Also, of note, strong to severe thunderstorms could impact our area in the late afternoon and evening hours. If you see dark clouds overhead and hear thunder, please be smart and head inside as soon as possible! Be sure to follow my Twitter for the latest on tomorrow's severe weather potential. Sunday is looking sunny with temperatures in the 80s. We may barely miss out on a heat wave in the valleys as NWS is forecasting temperatures in the upper 80s. Certainly something to keep an eye out in case Sunday trends warmer. At this point, early next week looks gorgeous and a much-needed reprieve from the heat and humidity! Enjoy the weekend folks and stay cool!

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 92°
Chicopee - 90°
Orange - 88°
North Adams - 87°
Pittsfield - 87°

Highs for Today (7/5/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 87°
Chicopee - 84°
Orange - 82°
Pittsfield - 81°
North Adams - 80°

Highs for Today - July 4th (7/4/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Westfield - 91°
Chicopee - 90°
Orange - 88°
North Adams - 87°
Pittsfield - 86°

Highs for Today - Final Day of Heat Wave (7/1/2012)

Here are the official high temperatures in Western Mass today:

Chicopee - 91° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE)
Westfield - 91° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE)
Orange - 90° (OFFICIAL HEAT WAVE)
North Adams - 87°
Pittsfield - 86°

Indications are another heat wave is possible in the second half of this week. Also monitoring the chance of storms on Independence Day (July 4th) and next weekend of which a few could be severe. Stay tuned!