Relentless heat, humidity to stifle northeastern US through this weekend

By Renee Duff for AccuWeather

Oppressive heat and humidity will remain firmly planted across much of the northeastern United States through this weekend.

More from AccuWeather: Northeast interactive radar

A slow-moving front has been pumping a stream of tropical air into the region from the southwest over the past few days. The sweltering conditions will be in no hurry to leave.

"Heat and high humidity will lead to steamy days and sultry nights through Sunday," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde.

Summer nights typically offer welcome relief from the heat of the day, but this will not be the case through the weekend.

High humidity will make it feel stifling and uncomfortable well after the sun goes down, especially in urban areas.

Lows are forecast to only drop to the upper 70s and low 80s F along the Interstate 95 corridor into Sunday night, with AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures staying close to 90 in some of the bigger cities.

"The warm and muggy nights will make it hard to sleep in a non-air conditioned dwelling," Rinde said.

During the daytime, highs in the low to mid-90s will be common across the mid-Atlantic and Northeast coast.

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While stifling days are not uncommon during the dogs days of summer, humidity levels will make it feel more like the Deep South than the Northeast.

AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures near or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are expected in places like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

More from AccuWeather: Forecast temperature map

"The humidity will diminish the body's ability to cool itself during the daytime," he said.

Sudden heavy thunderstorms will make it difficult to seek relief from the heat and humidity at local lakes and pools during the afternoon hours, especially across the interior Northeast.

New England is expected to be the coolest spot across the region, where clouds will limit sunshine.

Areas where a gusty afternoon storm blows through could experience temporary relief from the heat but not the humidity, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

Areas where rain has recently fallen will feel even muggier. Away from storms, the air will remain stagnant.

There may be slight relief from heat and humidity across the interior Northeast early next week. However, it will not last long.

"Humidity levels are forecast to ramp up again during the middle and latter half of next week," Rinde said.