Forecast: Summer Heat, Then Spring Showers

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EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Partly sunny. 20% chance p.m. storm. 87-90. Tonight: Partly cloudy. 66-69. | Tomorrow: Partly cloudy, p.m. storms. 87-90. | A Look Ahead

FORECAST IN DETAIL

While the calendar says summer is still a few weeks away yet, us weather people follow the "meteorological summer," which is June 1 to Aug. 31. So it is not too much of a surprise to see a taste of summer today and tomorrow as high temperatures make a run at the upper 80s or maybe even 90. Then, a return to cooler more spring-like weather returns on Thursday to Friday with plenty of clouds and showers too. The good news is that we still see improvement by the weekend.

Today (Tuesday): Warm weather builds into the area today as winds shift to come from a more southwesterly direction. We should see highs in the mid-to-upper 80s with variable sun/cloud conditions and a slight (20%) chance of a late afternoon/evening shower or thunderstorm. Confidence: High

Tonight: Partly cloudy skies should prevail this evening as a warm air mass continues to build over the region. Low temperatures should be more muggy with mid-to-upper 60s (I would not be surprised to see spots in the city not drop below 70). Confidence: High

Keep reading for the forecast through the weekend...

Tomorrow (Wednesday): A cold front will approach the area. Ordinarily, the warm winds out ahead of it would elevate temperatures higher than today's levels. But we should also see more cloud cover capping temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s with the possibility of 90 sneaking in somewhere. The heat and instability will increase chances for afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms (60% by late afternoon/evening). Confidence: Medium

Tomorrow Night: More showers are expected as a cold front sweeps through early and winds shift toward a cooler direction from the north. Lows should drop into the low 60s and shower chances are at a healthy 60%. Confidence: Medium

A LOOK AHEAD

Thursday and Friday will be under the influence of cool high pressure to the north and a stalled front over and to the south of the area. What this means is another cool oceanic flow, lots of clouds, and frequent rain chances. Look for a 70% likelihood of rain through the period with highs near 70 and lows Friday morning in the mid-to-upper 50s. Confidence: Low-Medium

The weekend is looking good at this early stage with high pressure dominating Saturday with sunshine and highs in the 70s. Sunday should trend warmer as a warm front works north through the area. Temperatures should reach into the low 80s, but there will be an increased chance (40%) of showers and thunderstorms. Lows should be in the 50s and 60s. All in all, the first weekend of June looks like a nice one. Confidence: Low-Medium