Great. Just great.
Temperatures reached record heights Thursday afternoon when the thermometer at Logan International Airport hit 95 degrees, making May 18, 2017, the hottest on record for Boston.
The previous record of 91 for the day was set in 1936.
Earlier Thursday, forecasters at the National Weather Service in Taunton suggested a quick getaway might be the smartest move for Massachusetts residents.
“Beat the heat, purchase a plane seat, and fly to the Rockies’’ where up to 3 feet of snow is expected in Colorado from a severe winter storm that will persist into Thursday, forecasters quipped on social media.
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On a serious note, forecasters urged Massachusetts residents to heed the conditions, stay hydrated, and limit jogging and outdoor work throug Thursday.
Temperatures crested in the 90s across Massachusetts by Thursday afternoon, some 20 to 30 degrees warmer than usual for spring, and an especially marked change from last week when it rained, skies stayed grey, and temperatures reached only into the 50s and 60s, forecasters noted.
There is some good news, however.
NWS meteorologist Alan Dunham said it won’t be a humid Thursday as dewpoint temperatures will drop into the 50s — a comfortable range — as the temperature rises.
“The humidity is not really going to be a problem,’’ he said. “It’s going to be the sheer heat.’’
MassDEP has issued an air quality alert that will be in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.
There is a small possibility of late afternoon and early evening thunderstorms as a cooler weather system starts to arrive, one that will push temperatures into the 80s Friday and even lower this weekend. Temperatures will be in the 60s by Saturday, forecasters said.
John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.