Tracking an extended period of hot and humid conditions just in time for summer

TODAY: Thursday is mild and dry, with light variable winds and sunny skies. Highs will reach mid-80s, with enough humidity to be noticeable, but not enough to force a high heat index.

TONIGHT: Skies stay clear, and temperatures fall into the upper 60s with an increasingly southwesterly flow.

EXTENDED: Southwest winds increase to 10-20 mph on Friday. Under mostly sunny skies, this pushes temperatures into the 90s. With dewpoints climbing into the 70s, we expect heat index values in the upper 90s to near 100. This will be the beginnings of an upper level ridge, or dome of high pressure, that will suppress upward moving air in the atmosphere. This patter sits overhead keeping us dry and thunderstorm free, but also traps our warmth near the surface, bolstering heat each day. This and a steady supply of humidity will keep heat index values near 100 each day through the weekend with bright and sunny conditions to suit. We'll have great pool weather into next week, but remember to be mindful of how this could trigger heat related illnesses especially as many are not acclimated to this type of heat yet. Our first big heat wave of the season will continue into next week, but we do see a chance for more clouds by midweek, and signs of a possible breakdown in the pattern at the end of the 7-day forecast.