Heat wave to bring 110-degree heat index to region

Massachusetts is now under an extreme heat. Watch is dangerous. Temperatures and humidity build later this week. New Storm Team Meteorologist Alexa Bianco joins us live in Chicopee with a look at what's driving this intense summer surge, Alexa. Yes, yes, Christina and Sierra. We are tracking this big dome of heat coming our way that expanding to the east coast just in time for the holiday weekend. With many gearing up for the Fourth of July celebrations, this incoming stretch of heat could make for some of the hottest and most uncomfortable conditions we've seen so far this summer. The heat's actually originating in the southwest part of the United States over the desert southwest, which is pretty typical. And then in the summer, every now and then, a plume of that heat does advect, um, you know, into the northeast or eastern seaboard. The same pattern driving this surge of heat is also pulling in tropical moisture from the gulf, creating that sticky summer feel and pushing heat index values even higher. As humidity levels rise, the body struggles to cool down because sweat is unable to evaporate as quickly, making it feel much hotter than the actual air temperature. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can sneak up pretty quickly, and it's important to stay cool, stay extra hydrated and limit time outside and during peak hours. The heat will arrive on Wednesday and will really peak on Thursday and Friday, where air temperatures will be between 95 100. However, when you factor in the humidity, the heat indices could be as up as high as 110 degrees. Along with this heat and humidity, this could bring some thunderstorms for the back and half of the week, but we'll keep a close eye on that working for you. Storm team meteorologist Alexa Bianco.