Tracking a dry and warming pattern
TODAY: Wednesday will be mild and mostly sunny. Highs in the mid-80s with dew points falling to the low 60s this afternoon are a product of a cold front that passed through the region on Tuesday. Winds are light from the north.
TONIGHT: Winds are variable overnight, but very light. Temperatures fall into the 60s under clear skies.
EXTENDED: An east wind remains on Thursday, keeping highs at a mild upper 80s with dew points still in the low 60s and possibly 50s. This will feel refreshing compared to heat and humidity that is expected over the weekend. An upper level ridge is expected to build heat Friday through Sunday, with highs reaching 90 daily. We'll be sunny through this time frame, but moisture will likely grow at the surface. Dew points are likely to be near 70 again through this period. If dew points can reach mid-70s or higher, we may have heat indexes near dangerous territory. Currently it looks like most of this weekend we'll have a 100-105 heat index during peak heating hours, but Saturday and Sunday may be close to 105+. An ABC17 Stormtrack Weather Alert Day is in place for Saturday and Sunday. Heat will likely linger to a degree on Monday, but rain chances are creeping in early next week, and may bring some relief by Tuesday.
