Forecast: Heat today, humidity tomorrow

Welcome to the peak of summer

* Heat Advisory tomorrow | Heat weaves, then and now *
* Outside now? Radar, lightning, temps & more: Weather Wall *
* Consec days of 90+: 8; Total 90+: 38 (Apr: 2; May: 3; Jun: 18; Jul: 15) *

Today's Daily Digit

 

A somewhat subjective rating of the
day's weather, on a scale of 0 to 10.

 

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EXPRESS FORECAST

Today: Sunny, not as humid. 92-96. | Tonight: Fair, reasonably comfortable. 65-73. | Tomorrow: Mostly sunny, isolated p.m. t'shower. 94-98. | A Look Ahead | Get Express Forecast by E-mail

FORECAST IN DETAIL

By David Streit, CWG Meteorologist

The good news is that climatically speaking, we are at the peak of summer heat and average temperatures head downhill after this weekend. The problem is there are probably going to be quite a few bumps of heat before we return to consistently more comfortable levels. Thundershowers will be few and far between now and this weekend which is good for outdoor activities. But oh the heat and humidity! We should easily break a record on Saturday. The bonus for this period is lower humidity today and again on Monday.

Today (Thursday): The 70s at sunrise zip up to the 80s by lunchtime but the humidity is not as oppressive today. Mid-afternoon highs stretch to make the mid-90s in most spots. A few puffs of clouds are likely by afternoon with light breezes from the west. No storms likely today. Confidence: High

Tonight: The evening is still bearable with 80s the rule. Skies are mostly clear and breezes calm. This is a night where the suburbs should make mid-to-upper 60s while downtown can't shake the lower 70s. Confidence: High

Keep reading for the forecast through Monday....

Tomorrow (Friday): The bad news is that both the heat and the humidity jump with highs in the mid-to-upper 90s. Light breezes from the southwest are of little help to the muggy character of the air. A weak disturbance could set off an isolated thundershower by late afternoon but only about 10% of the area should see wet pavement. Confidence: Medium-High

Tomorrow Night: A thundershower or two may linger but any are likely to swiftly dissipate and even 10% coverage will be generous. Evening temperatures in the mid-to-upper 80s keep it tropical. Overnight lows fall to the mid-to-upper 70s. Confidence: Medium-High

A LOOK AHEAD

On Saturday, summer reigns supreme with 80s quickly giving way to the 90s by midday. Skies are hazy but desirable clouds are few. The record high for this day is only 96 and it is a likely goner as highs top out in the upper 90s to near 100. It would be even hotter but the high humidity actually dampens the heat slightly. Confidence: Medium-High

Sunday starts out in the steamy upper 70s to lower 80s, ugh. This would be another near record day but clouds are likely to increase by afternoon just enough to hold highs in the mid-to-upper 90s. A "cool" front approaches later in the day bringing a 30% chance of thundershowers into the mid-evening. Most outdoor activities should be just fine but keep an eye out. Evening temperatures remain in the 80s in most areas but 70s in areas impacted by thunderstorms. Confidence: Medium-High

Monday dawns with a new lease on life! Skies should be a beautiful blue with rain chances nil. Temperatures only in the 70s and humidity back down to very comfortable levels. Highs still make the upper 80s to lower 90s but it should feel refreshing after the weekend bout with the tropics. Confidence: Medium-High