Looking hot and mostly dry until Friday

Meteorologist Sam Lucey has a look at the week ahead

Tonight will be partly cloudy with temperatures falling into the upper 70s. A light south wind will become westerly overnight, making for another warm and muggy night.

Thursday will feature mostly sunny skies and highs around 93 degrees. Only a slight chance (20%) of a brief afternoon shower or thunderstorm is expected, so most communities will stay dry. Heat index values will climb into the upper 90s and low 100s during the afternoon.

Friday remains hot with highs in the lower 90s. A few scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible during the morning into early afternoon, but many locations will still see plenty of sunshine. Heat index values could once again reach around 105 degrees, so be sure to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks if you’re spending time outdoors.

Looking ahead to the weekend, moisture begins to increase across the Gulf Coast. Rain chances rise on Saturday, with scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms expected throughout the day. Sunday looks even wetter, with widespread showers and thunderstorms likely. The pattern sticks around for Monday and Tuesday as well.

While the increased rain will provide some relief from the heat, heavy downpours and frequent lightning will accompany the strongest storms. Keep an eye on the forecast if you have outdoor plans this weekend.