breif break in temps before near or above triple digit heat returns next week

We need to soak in the lack of humidity and cooler temps Thursday and especially Friday because we're in for some seriously hot temps again next week.

For Thursday, expect partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. So still hot but not oppressive and the humidity will be lower as well. I don't expect any rain on Thursday. For Friday, it will be much cooler with highs only in the 80s. Widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected east of I-95, but its a bit uncertain how far west this rain goes. Areas between I-81 and I-95 have a 30-50% chance of rain but will probably only see a trace to 1/2". Areas east of I-95 have  60-80% chance of rain and could see 1-2" in isolated areas. Rain may be moderate to heavy at times with the bulk of it occurring south of Baltimore. 

We ramp up the heat immediately starting on Saturday with low-mid 90s likely under sunny skies (stray morning shower possible). Humidity remains manageable but definitely increasing. For Sunday, we shoot back into the mid and upper 90s to near 100 in some spots with heat index values over 100 likely. That said, I think we will fall just short of heat advisory criteria. Still, it will be dangerously hot. Temperatures continue to climb on Monday with highs nearing 100 in many areas (mainly 97-99) and heat index values around 105 which puts us right at advisory criteria. On Tuesday, I expect the heat to be near its peak with highs near or above 100 degrees along the urban corridor, and upper 90s area wide. Heat index values could exceed 105 degrees depending on how high the dew points get. Sun-Tues all feature a 10-20% chance of a pop up afternoon thunderstorm. With the lack of widespread rain, the drought WILL GET WORSE so please begin thinking about ways you can conserve water.

Looking ahead towards mid-late week, the heat will likely peak on Wednesday with both the GFS and EURO showing temps at or above 100. This might be overdone, but not out of the questions. Following this, a cold front will move through on Thursday. Now its possible that a few strong storms could develop on Wednesday, but there is a better chance on Thursday since we actually have a trigger. And we always have to watch for severe weather when we end a heat wave around here. There remains some timing differences with the passage of the cold font so expect changes to the thunderstorm aspect of this forecast.

Senior Forecaster Jack