* WHAT. Heat index values up to 97 expected. * WHERE. Portions of south central, southwest, and western Maine and central, northern, and southern New Hampshire. * WHEN. Until 6 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

* WHAT. Heat index values up to 98. * WHERE. Portions of southern Connecticut, northeast New Jersey, and southeast New York. * WHEN. Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

* WHAT. Dangerous rip currents expected. * WHERE. Washington, Southern Bristol MA, Southern Plymouth MA, Barnstable MA, Dukes MA, Nantucket MA, and Newport RI Counties. * WHEN. From 8 AM EDT this morning through 8pm this evening. * IMPACTS. Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore into deeper water.

* WHAT. Heat index values up to 98. * WHERE. Portions of northern Connecticut, central, eastern, northeastern, southeastern, and western Massachusetts, and northern and southern Rhode Island. * WHEN. Until 8 PM EDT this evening. * IMPACTS. Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 552 IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN CONNECTICUT THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES IN NORTHERN CONNECTICUT HARTFORD TOLLAND WINDHAM IN MASSACHUSETTS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 6 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS WORCESTER IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLESEX IN NORTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ESSEX IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS FRANKLIN HAMPDEN HAMPSHIRE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF FITCHBURG, FRAMINGHAM, GLOUCESTER, GREENFIELD, HARTFORD, LAWRENCE, LOWELL, NORTHAMPTON, PUTNAM, SPRINGFIELD, UNION, VERNON, WILLIMANTIC, AND WORCESTER.