Massachusetts Weather Forecast: Heat, Then Thunder

This current heat wave is set to usher in a few strong thunderstorms as the day progresses, bringing us — and the temperatures — back down to earth. Massachusetts is under a hazardous weather outlook even as a heat advisory hangs over a large portion of the state.

The hazardous weather outlook is for the possibility of "strong thunderstorms," the National Weather Service said. The storms are possible this afternoon and early evening, roughly between noon and 8 p.m. Damaging winds and local heavy downpours causing flooding could occur. For those heading to the Red Sox game tonight, it appears they would likely get the game in but possibly with a short delay.

The heat advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. as heat index values rise to the mid 90s. The NWS warns of heat exhaustion, suggesting you stay hydrated and limit outdoor work as much as possible. The areas below in orange are under a heat advisory (the gray is an air quality alert, the rest is hazardous weather.)

The heat wave was a welcome blast of summer, although it seems we skipped most of spring. While more rain is in the extended forecast, it won't be as consistently dreary as the last couple of weeks.

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday should all have highs in the low 70s, with Wednesday likely being the sunniest of them all. The rain returns Saturday before another 80-degree day Sunday.