Officials urged residents to be cautious and take steps to keep cool as blazing temperatures and suffocating humidity blanketed the city today.
Thermometers at Logan International Airport peaked at 97 degrees just before 4 p.m. today, just one degree shy of the record for the day. Shortly before 6 p.m., the temperature had dropped to 92 at the airport.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory in effect from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. and forecasters encouraged anyone outside to drink plenty of water and stay out of the sun. Mayor Thomas M. Menino also issued a heat advisory for Boston.
State emergency officials encouraged residents to seek out cooling centers, avoid strenuous activity, stay indoors, and check on family, friends and neighbors. It is also good to limit alcohol consumption and eat light, well-balanced meals, agency officials said.
Menino extended the hours of the city’s 16 indoor pools to 9:30 p.m. Boston’s two outdoor pools and beach will close at dusk for safety reasons.
The high temperatures affected some services. Officials said the heat and humidity caused Boston trash collection to take longer than usual this morning, and the MBTA said the heat had required a speed restriction on the Worcester commuter line until 7 p.m. Riders can expect 10-to-20-minute delays.
The record high of 98 was set in 1999 and years previous.
A cold front moving into the region Wednesday will cool the high temperatures, but also carries the risk of severe thunderstorms. Partly sunny skies in the morning will make way for clouds as the day continues. Temperatures will be in the high 80s up to 90, and it will be extremely muggy.
“The air is going to have so much moisture,” Dunham said. “It’s still going to feel miserable.”
He said Wednesday’s cold front is moving so slowly that the showers and thunderstorms will continue into the evening, possibly creating flash flooding.
Dunham said there is potential for “training,” which means once a storm passes through, another follows, and so on. One area of concern, he said, is the Storrow Drive underpasses.
He said the forecast for the rest of the week looks great so far. Temperatures in the low to mid-80s with mild humidity are expected. Evenings in the city should even drop to the mid-50s to low 60s.
“It’s going to feel so nice after the steamy weather we’ve had to deal with this week,” he said.