· Warm to hot, and stiflingly humid today as dew points rise toward 70 degrees this afternoon and evening.

· A stable layer of air will allow our region to “cook” with highs approaching 90 – but that’s nothing comparing to the large extended heat wave to our south and west. Where day after day heat indices will be extreme and already there’s been some fatalities due to heat exposure.

· Climate change modeling has been showing for decade or two that this would become more the norm for years to come.

· In New England, not quite so severe but showers and thunderstorms should erupt later this afternoon and become more numerous this evening and tonight. Boomer may be going well into the early AM hours.

· More showers/thunderstorms Saturday eventually winding down in the evening as cooler less humid air works in for Sunday the pick of this weekend.

· Showers and thunderstorms return Monday into part of Tuesday next week.

Midpoint of Summer…

TODAY: Any morning showers exit to partly to mostly sunny skies. Stiflingly warm and humid. Widely scattered late afternoon thunderstorms, some with gusty winds, hail and heavy downpours. A high in the mid to upper 80s. South to southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms likely, some strong with gusty winds, hail and heavy downpours. A low in the mid 60s. Light south winds.

SATURDAY: More clouds than sun. Scattered showers and thunderstorms mainly in the afternoon, some could be strong. Sultry. A high in the low 80s. West to northwest winds 10 mph.

Looking further ahead…

SATURDAY NIGHT: Widely scattered showers and thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy. Patchy valley fog. A low in the low 60s.

SUNDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Comfortable low to moderate humidity. A high in the upper 70s to around 80.

MONDAY: Partly to mostly sunny warm more humid. More clouds in the afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing late in the day. A low in the low 60s. A high in the upper 80s to near 90.

TUESDAY: Mixed clouds and sunshine. Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms. A low in the mid 60s. A high 80 to 85.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. A low in the mid 60s. A high in the mid 80s.

THURSDAY: Sunshine giving way to more afternoon clouds. A low in the 60s. A high in the low to mid 80s.

Average lows 55 to near 60. Normal high upper 70s to low 80s. Peak of summer July 22nd

(Confidence factor: 5 = Good predictability 1 = shaky modeling lowered confidence) RH/7-22 [end]