Another hot day is in store Thursday. After starting in the upper 70s away from the coast and Downtown (lower 80s there, gross), temperatures will warm to the mid-90s in the afternoon under partly cloudy skies. Mix in humidity and that’ll yield heat indices around 106°, plenty warm enough for heat exhaustion concerns during the peak of the afternoon. Much like today, expect rain-free conditions to persist as high pressure and the surface and aloft keep thunderstorm development at bay. Indeed, the only relief may be a cumulus cloud or two blocking out a bit of sun for a time.

Friday & the weekend: Still hot, maybe an afternoon storm

We’ll stay hot heading into the weekend as ridging continues to feature prominently in the weather pattern. Temperatures will run in the low to mid-90s each day, with heat indices between 105-110° a distinct possibility during the height of each afternoon. A stalling front may help stir up a thunderstorm or two Saturday and Sunday afternoons, but the risk for additional rain remains quite low overall, portending a dry close to a very soggy July.