It is going to be hotter than a ghost pepper in a sauna for the rest of the week. Enjoy relatively cooler temperatures today with highs in the lower 90s, as temperatures will rise to the upper 90s and lower 100s Thursday through Saturday. Stay hydrated, avoid excessive time outdoors, and dress appropriately for the heat. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to Friday at 8:00 p.m., and there is a chance that it will be extended to include Saturday as well. Sunday provides some relief from the heat, but at the cost of increased rain and storm chances, making it an unappealing day for outdoor activities. Independence Day is currently looking a little damp.
Today started out relatively nice, with dry conditions and relatively cooler temperatures. Highs are expected to reach the lower 90s for the rest of the day, and conditions will remain mostly dry with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to fall into the mid-to-upper 60s tonight. If you have any outside work to do, try to finish it today because temperatures are expected to soar tomorrow.
If you must go outside, starting Thursday, try to avoid the hottest parts of the day and go early in the morning. It is recommended that you take frequent breaks in an air-conditioned or shaded area while you are outside. Please be aware of heat exhaustion and heat stroke symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, rapid breathing, confusion, agitation, and disorientation. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, get out of the heat, try to cool down, and seek medical attention immediately, especially if the symptoms are severe. Aside from the high temperatures, Thursday is expected to be mostly dry, with only a slight chance of scattered showers and storms throughout the day. Thursday night may see a few showers and storms, but temperatures will only drop to the low-to-mid 70s.
Moving on to this weekend, the scorching heat will continue, with air temperatures expected to be higher on Friday than on Thursday. Friday’s highs are expected to be in the upper 90s to lower 100s, making it yet another extremely hot day. Again, take all heat precautions, such as dressing appropriately and drinking plenty of water. Avoid midday because it is the hottest time of the day, and try to stay indoors if possible. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, seek medical attention immediately and get out of the sun. Isolated showers and storms are possible on Friday, but the majority of the day appears to be dry. Low temperatures are only expected to fall into the low-to-mid 70s Friday night.
Moving on to Saturday, temperatures will reach highs in the upper 90s, with some places reaching the triple digits once again. Remember to seek medical attention if you or someone else shows signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, and to drink plenty of fluids. The chance of showers and storms is slightly higher than in previous days, but the majority of Saturday appears to be dry. As we approach Saturday night, the chances of scattered showers and storms increase, and overnight lows will be similar to Friday.
On Sunday, we will thankfully see slight relief from the incredibly hot temperatures, with highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. The humidity will be high, so while it may still feel like a sauna, it will feel like a vacation in the Arctic compared to the previous days. Unfortunately, the cooler temperatures come with a higher chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the area. Sunday night lows are expected to be in the mid-to-upper 60s, with scattered showers and storms continuing through the night, making it ideal sleeping weather. On Monday, scattered showers and storms will continue, so if you have to go outdoors, definitely bring your rain jacket. Aside from the rain, temperatures will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s once again. Monday night, showers and storms will continue and temperatures are expected to drop to the mid-to-upper 60s.
As of now, Independence Day appears to be slightly rainy. Showers and storms are expected throughout the day, with the likelihood increasing in the late afternoon and evening. Temperatures for the holiday will be in the upper 80s and lower 90s for the high and mid-to-upper 60s for the low. If you plan to grill on the Fourth of July, I recommend doing so at lunch rather than supper because, while the chances of rain are not zero, they appear to be much lower at that time. Unfortunately, the chance of scattered showers and storms is higher that night, so it will not be ideal conditions for shooting fireworks. However, if you are patient, there may be some brief breaks in the rain overnight that you can take advantage of. Keep in mind, however, that lightning can strike from 10 miles away, so plan to go indoors if you see lightning or hear thunder, even if it is not raining in your immediate area.
The next few days will be scorching, with highs in the upper 90s and lower 100s expected from Thursday to Saturday. Today appears to be the best day for outdoor activities this week, with mostly dry conditions and relatively cool temperatures. Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and take heat precautions, particularly in the coming days. The heat will be relieved from Sunday through the first part of next week, but there will be a greater chance of scattered showers and storms. The higher rain chances will persist next week, as will the warm temperatures, with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. The weather forecast for Independence Day does not look promising in terms of rain and storms, so stay safe and go indoors if you see flashes of lightning or hear thunder.
