06/20/2024: One More Scorcher, Few Strong PM Storms

The Latest Storm Tracker Forecast from Meteorologists Matt Mackie and Kevin Appleby:

Heat indices will once again approach the triple digits on this first official day of summer as humidity levels remain sky high. Scattered thunderstorms will develop this afternoon, with heavy rain and frequent lightning expected. Additionally, a few storms may contain gusty winds up to 60 MPH. Heading into the weekend, the heat eases a bit, but high humidity sticks around.

Dew points in the low 70s and actual air temperatures in the low 90s support heat indices Thursday afternoon of around 95-100. So, not quite to the same level of what we had yesterday, but still potentially hazardous this afternoon, especially in valley locations. The Heat Advisory that has been in effect since Tuesday is set to expire Thursday evening at 8 PM.

With storms anticipated to fire up after lunchtime Thursday, the Storm Prediction Center has placed the entire News10 viewing area in a Level 2/5 Slight Risk for severe storms. Thunderstorms will be capable of heavy rain and frequent lightning. In isolated instances, thunderstorms may produce high wind gusts up to 60 MPH.

Just like Wednesday, with this very humid air mass in place, cloud-to-ground lightning strikes may occur prior to any rainfall, and could also occur far away from the thunderstorms themselves. Any storms that fire up in the afternoon will weaken and taper after sunset.

Actual air temperatures top out in the upper 80s and lower 90s Thursday afternoon, and look for strong storms to develop during the afternoon.

An evening shower/thunderstorm is possible, otherwise it's another uncomfortably muggy overnight with temperatures struggling to fall below 70 across the region.

With the ridge that's produced these very hot and humid days repositioning itself ever so slightly farther south going into the weekend, the opportunity to reach 90 degrees becomes more slim. The air aloft isn't quite as warm, and being on the northern fringes of this ridge increases daily shower and thunderstorm chances. 90 isn't impossible, just much more difficult to accomplish. Friday, for example, will feature highs in the 80s, but humid conditions could still push heat indices into the low 90s - short of the National Weather Service's Heat Advisory criteria.

Storm chances remain elevated going into the weekend, and the humidity will stick around. Some of us may not get out of the upper 70s on Saturday, which appears to be the wetter of the two weekend days. Sunday may be a bit drier, opening the door for slightly higher temperatures.

Monday looks to be a transition day back to more comfortable weather, will decreasing humidity and just a chance for a few morning showers. Tuesday looks spectacular, with low humidity will lots of sunshine. It appears, however, that temperatures, humidity, and storm chances creep back up a bit towards the middle of next week.