NEW: Rhode Island Temp Ties 36-Year Heat Record
Friday, July 22, 2011
Yea. It’s hot.
Today's 102 sweltering degrees Fahrenheit recorded in Providence marked the hottest day of the summer by far, and tied the record for the highest temperature in the state for the past 36 years.
Along with the rest of Rhode Island, GoLocalProv was roasting in our Providence located office and while the sweat mixed with the typing of our keyboards we got to thinking how this day compared among the hottest days in Rhode Island history.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHot Colonial times
The hottest recorded day in Rhode Island occurred on August 2,1975 when thermometers climbed to a staggering temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. We should count ourselves lucky that we didn’t reach those heights today. Furthermore, in the past 36 years, only one other day has matched today’s extremes.
Experts attribute the intense New England temperature to a “heat dome” which is currently moving east across the continental United States. A heat dome forms when a high pressure system forms in the upper atmosphere causing the air below it to sink and compress raising temperatures in the lower atmosphere. This heat dome has hit most of the country and today was Providence’s turn to bear the brunt of the heat’s force.
While the current summer has been extremely hot, no other day comes close to the extremity of Friday’s weather. The next highest temperature this summer occurred on July 12 with a high of 92 degrees. That’s almost laughable in comparison to today. According to wunderground.com, the average temperature in Providence for July 22 is 83 degrees. Yet, today’s temperature was 19 degrees higher.
Hellish temps, big humidity
Adding to the hellish temperature was the accompanying humidity, which could make it feel closer to 106 degrees. With good reason, The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning on Friday stating that “the combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely.”
Tomorrow will bring slight relief but not much. Daytime averages are expected around 97 degrees before a cold front eventually moves into the area offering us all a respite. Until then, people are strongly urged to stay indoors as often as possible and consume copious amounts of liquid. So crank up those air conditioners, bunker down in your homes, and ride out the storm. If history repeats itself we won’t have to worry about another day like today for another 36 years. And that itself is a breath of fresh air.