Temperature’s Rising

By Steve Bigham

The third heat wave of the summer scorched the Northeast region this week, making it almost unbearable to spend any length of time outside. The days seemed to get hotter and more humid as the week of August 13-17 moved along.

“Each day has been at least as hot as the day before, and in some cases, even hotter,” said Michael Erickson of the Western Connecticut State University weather center.

And at press time Thursday morning, the temperature was still rising on what may end up being the hottest day of the year. Forecasters were predicting the thermometer to hit 100 degrees before the day was done.

But it’s not just the heat. It’s the humidity, too, and the heat index reached as high as 111 degrees at one point this week.

Mr Erickson said this particular heat wave is caused by what is referred to a Bermuda High, which is defined as a very large high pressure system centered just off the Atlantic Coast somewhere between North Carolina and Bermuda.

The hottest temperature ever recorded in the area was 106 degrees on July 15, 1995.