Forecast: Still Hotter Yet

By Brian Jackson

We see no relief from the oppressive heat and humidity today. In fact, today may well bring the worst of it. With Tropical Storm Cristobal off the North Carolina coast and a front to our west, the air will sink in the middle bumping our temperatures up another notch. If you must be outside today make sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen. As Cristobal heads away and the cold front moves into the region early-to-mid next week, we'll see a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and a modest cool down.

TODAY (SUNDAY)

Sweltering heat, 94-98. No relief for the weary today as the mercury rises well into the 90s. A stray shower may try to develop but will most likely be defeated by subsidence (sinking air) as we are trapped between the proverbial rock and a hard place with a front to our northwest and Cristobal to the southeast. Light winds from the south will reinforce the humidity and afternoon heat indices will likely flirt with the century mark.

We'll stay sticky overnight with the high humidity. The Maryland/Delaware beaches will be right in the iffy zone for Cristobal. If it goes a little west of its predicted track, those spots may see some showers overnight. Everywhere else, skies will be partly cloudy and temperatures will only drop to the low-to-mid 70s (suburbs to city). We won't even have the comfort of a cool evening breeze. So if you plan on sleeping with the windows open, I'd invest in a nice fan.

Keep reading for the forecast into early next week

TOMORROW (MONDAY)

Sunny, not quite as hot. 89-93. A cold front will wash out over the area Monday morning but this won't do a lot to cool us off. Temperatures will only be few degrees cooler than today and humid levels will remain uncomfortable.

Overnight, expect partly cloudy skies with lows in the low-to-mid 70s in most places.

A LOOK AHEAD

On Tuesday, we'll see highs in the lower 90s along with continued high humidity. Clouds will increase during the afternoon and scattered thunderstorms (30% chance) may bring temporary relief from the heat and some needed rainfall. Confidence: Medium

Wednesday will likely have a bit more cloud cover and thus cooler temperatures, though highs will still approach 90. We'll have a shot at a stray afternoon thunderstorm, though most will likely stay dry. Confidence: Medium