Heat Advisory Issued for Melrose

Heat index values expected to top 100 degrees—Milano Center open until 6 p.m. tonight., Lloyd Memorial Pool open until 7 p.m.

Loving the heat this summer? Well, it's continuing today but may reach dangerous levels. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for Melrose today. The advisory will be in effect from 1-7 p.m. What does this mean for you? Residents can expect temperatures to peak in the mid 90s, with humidity levels reaching 70 degrees. The combined readings will make it feel closer to 102. Heat index values that reach 103 degrees will result in dangerous conditions for those spending prolonged periods of time outdoors. To reduce the risk of heat illness, the NWS recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying in an air-conditioned room and out of the sun. Any outdoor activities during these hours should be rescheduled for earlier or …

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Severe Thunderstorms Possible Later Today

Damaging wind gusts and localized flooding possible.

Strong to severe thunderstorms could develop later this afternoon into the evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned on Friday morning. Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop across southern New England by mid-afternoon ahead of an approaching cold front, the NWS said in a statement. A few thunderstorms may become severe, with the primary threat coming from damaging wind gusts, the NWS said, and heavy rainfall could also lead to isolated flooding. "The storms should initially develop in the interior by 2 or 3 p.m., moving toward the coast by early evening," the NWS statement read. "People engaged in outdoor activities should keep an eye to the sky and be ready to quickly move to shelter if a severe thunderstorm warning is…

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Five Things You Need to Know Today

5 Things You Need To Know Today—Wednesday, June 20

Temps approach 100; Summer solstice celebration in the Fells; Park Commission meets; election of new Memorial Hall Trustees chairman.

Share your news and expertise by blogging on Melrose Patch! 1) Heatwave! This is the island in the sun: Areas of fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Heat index values as high as 104. (!!) West wind between 7 and 11 mph. Tonight, mostly clear, with a low around 73. West wind between 6 and 10 mph. (Forecast by the National Weather Service.) 2) You remember why it got dark and why it is getting light again: Join Boot Boutwell and the Friends of the Fells today at 6:30 p.m. in celebrating the summer solstice, the day when the midday sun reaches it’s highest point in the sky. The summer solstice, which occurs this year at 7:09 p.m. on June 20, marks the longest day (and shortest night) of the year. The …

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Hot, Hot, Hot: Three Days of Heat on the Way to New England

Temperatures could reach 100 degrees Wednesday and stay in the high 80s to 90s on Thursday and Friday.

Temperatures could hit triple digits Wednesday in Melrose, and it's expected to stay hot through the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service. The mercury is expected to flirt with 100 degrees tomorrow and Thursday, while highs Friday are expected to push 90, according to the weather service. It issued the following hazardous weather advisory early Tuesday morning: "There is a high probability of hot and humid conditions Wednesday and Thursday. Maximum heat indices should reach around 100 degrees both days ... Especially across the lower Connecticut River valley ... Interior eastern Massachusetts as well as the urban areas of Boston and Providence. Heat advisories may be needed in portions of the region." The …

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UPDATE: Snow Expected This Weekend, Power Outages Possible

Three to five inches of snow is possible with strong, gusting winds that could knock down trees and power lines.

UPDATED SATURDAY AT 2:35 P.M. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter storm watch for Middlesex County, including Melrose. The storm, which may stretch from Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning, could dump three to five inches of snow on the area. NWS predicts the storm will be a mix of rain and snow. Leaves on the trees coupled with heavy wet snow may cause branches to break with power outages possible. Rain this afternoon is expected to gradually change to heavy, wet snow as colder air hits up against warmer coastal air. "Anticipate precipitation to change to all snow around midnight continuing into Sunday morning," the NWS said in an advisory statement on Saturday afternoon. "There is a possibility for 1 to 2 inch per …

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Hurricane Irene: Being Prepared and Protecting Your Home

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency provides these tips to prepare for the hurricane this weekend.

The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) recommends that every home and business should have a stocked basic emergency supply kit that could be used for any emergency, regardless of the time of year. Everyone should keep certain items around the house and workplace in the event you are isolated for three to five days without power. Each kit will be unique to each family, but should include a portable radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a supply of non-perishable foods, along with bottled water, a first aid kit, extra prescription medication, and extra food and supplies for infants and pets. All families should develop a ‘Family Emergency Communication Plan’ to help ensure everyone is safe. You should contact your local …

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Thunderstorms Thursday; Irene's Projected Path Shifts

Before the hurricane impacts New England on Sunday, Melrosians will have to deal with potentially severe thunderstorms on Thursday.

While the focus is on Hurricane Irene's impending approach, Thursday won't be sunshine and rainbows, either. Strong to severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, according to a hazardous weather outlook statement issued Thursday morning by the National Weather Service. The city's Class of 2024 celebration at the Common has been moved indoors to the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School gymnasium. The main threat from Thursday's thunderstorms are strong to damaging straight line winds, with hail a secondary concern, the NWS said. "Locally, heavy rainfall with any thunderstorm may result in isolated pockets of urban and poor drainage street flooding, requiring the issuance of flood advisories," the statement read. The …

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Severe Thunderstorms, Hail Possible Sunday Afternoon and Evening

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch on Sunday afternoon.

A few strong to severe thunderstorms are possible in Melrose and northeastern Massachusetts on Sunday afternoon and evening, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned today. Early Sunday morning, the NWS issued a hazardous weather outlook statement, saying that thunderstorms today could produce strong wind gusts and hail. "They may also produce brief heavy downpours that could cause local urban and poor drainage flooding," the statement reads. On Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m., the NWS issued a severe thunderstorm watch that will remain in effect until 9 p.m. for Middlesex and Essex Counties.

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Flood Watch In Effect Through Tonight

The National Weather Service warned that up to 3-5 inches of rain could fall in some areas across the region today, leading to overflowing rivers and streams, and flooding in poor drainage areas.

Melrose and much of southeast New England is under a flood watch issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) on Monday morning. The NWS said that 1-3 inches of rain is expected across the flood watch area today, but "the potential exists for some areas to receive 3-5 inches of rain," which would result in sharp rises in rivers and streams. "A few rivers may approach or even exceed bankfull today," the NWS statement said. "In addition, flooding of urban and poor-drainage areas is likely." Much of the heavier rain on Monday fell in Connecticut and Rhode Island, according to NWS SKYWARN reports. In Massachusetts, as of 10:50 a.m. more than 2 inches of rain have fallen in communities in the western and central part of the state, including …

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