BOSTON -- The oppressive heat is causing area doctors and Boston Mayor Tom Menino to express concern for residents as temperatures soar and humidity makes the outdoor air mass oppressive.

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NewsCenter 5 meteorologist J.C. Monahan said temperatures will climb into the low 90s in most locations with dew points in the 70s, making for an extremely humid day that will feel like it's in the 100s. Thunderstorms and tropical downpours can also be expected.

NewsCenter 5's Kelley Tuthill reported that Menino issued a heat advisory for the city and doctors said that's a wise move. We take winter storms seriously and we should do the same when the weather becomes extremely warm, the physicians said.

Doctors advised camp counselors and parents to mind the heat and avoid strenuous activities for children. Parents may also want to avoid taking infants out into the heat. Elderly residents should also take precautions to keep cool and hydrated because heat stroke can sometimes be difficult to predict.

"It's can very serious. It can mild symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps or it can lead to death. People can get confused, they can have heat stroke," Dr. Tracy Wimbush of Massachusetts General Hospital said.

The National Weather Service said there is a slight risk for severe thunderstorms across much of the region Tuesday afternoon and evening. The combination of a very moist hot and unstable air mass across the region and an approaching cold front poses the potential for thunderstorms. A few of these could become severe. The primary hazards would include strong gusty winds, torrential rainfall and, as always, dangerous lightning.

Scattered showers have developed in the Connecticut Valley. More organized showers and thunderstorms were expected to form in eastern New York State Tuesday afternoon and move east across the region.

There won't be any relief from the heat until at least Friday.