Shower and thunderstorm chances — as well as temperatures — peak on Wednesday ahead of a cold front approaching the area. We’ll start the day in the low 70s with highs heading into the upper 80s in the afternoon before thunderstorms erupt generally along the seabreeze. A few thunderstorms could produce some strong wind gusts, with heavy rain and frequent lightning the more widespread concerns. The front should stall out to our west for the balance of the day before making its move through the area overnight Wednesday.

The airmass change behind the front will be somewhat slow at first. We’ll certainly see slightly lower dewpoints Thursday with air temperatures topping out a few degrees cooler as well, generally in the mid-80s. However, there should be enough low-level moisture to allow for a few popup showers and storms in the afternoon, so be ready for the potential to dodge a storm or two.

The airmass change picks up steam later Thursday into Friday, which looks positively brilliant. Expect lows in the mid-60s Friday to be followed by highs in the low 80s in the afternoon under nearly unfettered sunshine. Dewpoints will fall into the low-to-mid-50s during the day, providing a comfortably warm feel to the air. We’ll keep this going into the weekend, too, with lows bottoming out near 60° on Saturday. (Might even record a few upper 50s in some spots!) Fall is indeed coming, but these transitional seasons can be a little frustrating at times as the weather see-saws back and forth. (Hence “transitional season.”

Tuesday’s forecast will once again feature a seasonably warm and humid airmass that’ll give rise to some showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon, generally along and ahead of the seabreeze. We start the day in the low-to-mid-70s. Some fog may be around as we start the day, so be ready for possible visibility reductions particularly as you get further inland. Highs top out around 90° in the afternoon before a few storms fire, which will cool things off for some of us. A couple strong storms are possible, but don’t expect a widespread severe weather issue.

We will get off to a warm start for the first part of the work week, but a front will bring another taste of fall for the second half into the weekend.