A dangerous heat wave bringing record high temperatures, air quality alerts and potentially damaging storms arrived across Massachusetts on Thursday and will last through the July 4 holiday.
The punishing stretch will include "feels-like" heat index temperatures of up to 115 degrees with actual high temperatures forecast for 101 degrees both on Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
If the temperature hits 100 degrees in Boston on Thursday and Friday, it will be the first time in more than 80 years that has happened on back-to-back days.
An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Saturday for all areas of Massachusetts except the Berkshires and Cape Cod and the Islands.
"This is a dangerous heat wave," the NWS said.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection issued an Air Quality Alert for ground level ozone from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
"Air is unhealthy for sensitive children and adults, such as those with asthma, lung or heart disease, and older adults," the Mass DEP said. "Sensitive children and adults should limit prolonged outdoor activity."
The NWS said potentially damaging thunderstorms will accompany the heat. The biggest threat for severe storms is July 4 in the afternoon.
The heat will break on Sunday with a high of 81 degrees. High temperatures early next week will hold in the 70s.
See full National Weather Service forecast:
Thursday
Isolated showers between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., then isolated showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night
Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. West wind 8 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 101. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind 9 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 80. West wind around 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Independence Day
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 9am. Partly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Northwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night
Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 8 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night
A chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southeast wind 3 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday
A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. East wind 6 to 10 mph.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
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