Record Heat Possible Tuesday and Wednesday

Record breaking heat is possible during the first half of this week. That's when there is the potential for highs in the 80's!

Let's talk about the pattern and the reason for why we're expecting this summer-like heat: Rounds of storms will be moving into the Northwest U.S. this weekend and into the start of next week, creating a dip or trough in the jet stream out West. That will amplify the pattern and it will allow for a ridge to develop in the East. This ridge will continue to grow stronger as it gradually moves east toward the East Coast of the U.S. by midweek. Whenever we have a ridge, temperatures will be warmer than normal in all levels of the atmosphere, including where we live. Here's a look at the heights in the middle of our atmosphere, where the warmer colors show ridging and the cooler colors show roughing as well as the cooler temperatures:

Temperatures are going to be over fifteen degrees above average Tuesday and Wednesday. By that time, there's a good chance high temperatures will reach the low 80's along with low temperatures warmer than the average high.

In fact, we may break record highs Tuesday and Wednesday. There's a greater chance for a new record high to be accomplished on Tuesday than Wednesday because the record is only 75 degrees, whereas the record high on Wednesday is 81 degrees:

Besides the record heat potential on Wednesday, we may be dealing with another weather record. If we do hit the 80 degree mark Wednesday, then that will tie the latest 80 degree day in Bridgeport ever:

Then looking ahead to the rest of the week, we'll be watching a pattern change, but it's still unclear whether that will happen on Thursday or Friday. If it happens on Friday, then Thursday may be another hot day.

#forecast