It's my favorite suit, I only wear it the day before my Summer vacation. So, after I write this blog, I'm out!
What a vacation week it's going to be! An impressive ridge will build over the entire Eastern half of the US. Heat and humidity grow to oppressive levels up and down the East Coast. The only question for us is how hot will it get.
It turns out, that's not an easy question to answer. First of all, the overall airmass will be incredibly warm. 850 millibar temps, which are around 6000 feet in the air, are expected to be higher than anything I've seen in recent memory. They may reach the low 70s!
When air sinks it compresses, which is a heating mechanism. A general rule of thumb is that air warms 5 degrees every 5000 feet as it descends. So, 70 degrees at 6000 feet could potentially warm to 100 degrees by the time it sinks down to sea level!
The key to maximizing heat in Maine, especially for the coast, is a west wind gliding down from the mountains. Without it, hitting 100 let alone the 90s is virtually impossible. I don't see a strong enough pressure gradient for offshore winds. Therefore, cooling seabreezes should preclude serious heat along the coast.
Inland, is a different story. The definition of a heatwave in New England is three days in a row with a high temp of 90 or higher. There's a very high probability that one occurs away from the coast over the next week.
Obviously take it easy over the next week, but also enjoy it. We don't get this stuff that often, so hang out by some water and have some fun!
See you all in a week. Happy 4th!