Matter of degrees: Worcester heat reaches record levels

On April 13, 1892, when Mayor Francis A. Harrington was directing city affairs, the temperature peaked at 86 degrees in Worcester.

It would be another 131 years before the thermometer on that day would climb that high. On Thursday, the reading topped out at 86 degrees, tying the all-time recorded high for any April 13, according to the National Weather Service.

And on Friday, when the temperature climbed into the 80s, it set a new record high for any April 14. The previous record high for the date was 79, set in 1938. The temperature in Worcester on Friday topped out at 90 degrees. It not only sets a new standard, it's also the earliest 90-degree day in history, surpassing April 17, 2002.

Meantime, fire officials are continuing to be on the alert for brush fires, with dry conditions and breezy weather making for a dangerous mix. Crews in recent days have battled significant brush fires in Leominster and Sturbridge.

On Friday afternoon, crews from several communities tackled a large brush fire off Green Street in Northborough.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Not since 1892: Worcester hit 86 degrees Thursday