In case you haven’t noticed, it’s ferociously hot out.
An extreme heat warning is in effect through Sunday for much of southern New England, as stifling heat and soupy humidity have taken hold. Thursday’s temps have the potential to top 100 degrees in Boston, with the “real feel” reaching as high as 115.
The punishing weather arrived just ahead of the July Fourth holiday weekend, as the city prepares to host the 2026 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular outside on Saturday. Already, the heat is affecting the celebration; Officials announced that the Hatch Shell won’t open to the public until 4 p.m. because of the high temperatures.
Around the city, residents and visitors took refuge in the shade or posted up by indoor air conditioners. Many of those outside in the heat kept a water bottle or portable fan handy.
Here’s a look at scenes from around the sweat-drenched city.
Crews work in the sun on the Hatch Shell stage as July Fourth approaches and the heat in Boston reaches the mid-90s. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)
A sign offering air conditioning and free lemonade stands outside of a church in downtown Boston on July 1, 2026. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)
A construction worker takes a water break during a heat wave in Boston on Wednesday. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors to the Charles River Esplanade shelter from the sun near an ice cream truck, as heat in Boston reaches the mid-90s on Wednesday. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)
A construction worker takes a water break on Wednesday in Boston. (Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)
Parents watch from nearby tables as their children play in The Boston Common Frog Pond on Friday, July 26, 2026. The spray pool opened for the summer. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
India Wilder dips her feet into The Boston Common Frog Pond during her lunch break. The spray pool opened for the summer on Friday, July 26, 2026. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Madeline Matonti cools off during her off-work hours by taking a barefoot stroll through the Boston Common Frog Pond. She says that her apartment in Beacon Hill doesn’t have central air conditioning. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Isabella Lim, Irene Lim, Aldrica Lim and Adrian Lim of Canton sit on a shady bench in Boston Common. They’re grateful for the free local recreational facilities like Frog Pond, which Aldrica Lim says was less common in the Philippines, where the family is from. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Customers wait in line for lemonade and Italian ice at a stand in Boston Common. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Siblings Clarence Kisambira and Christian Diaz of Brookline eat Italian ice from a food stand in Boston Common. (Artemisia Luk/WBUR)
Beachgoers sit throughout Peggotty Beach in Scituate on July 2, 2026. (Patrick Madden/WBUR)
Two employees of J.J’s Dairy Hut in Cohasset. (Patrick Madden/WBUR)