Showers And Storms Clearing; Hottest Temps This Year Possible Early Next Week

After a warm and humid day, we are finally getting a good dose of a hefty thunderstorm passing through the area as I am typing this. (1:20 AM). So as many of you are asleep and will not read this until I post this blog on my Facebook page later this morning, our county is getting hit rather hard especially areas north of Harrisburg. Even here in Colonial Park we have moderate rainfall with frequent lightning and thunder. So if you have slept through this thunderstorm, congrats to you! I expect most of the shower and thunderstorm activity to be done with by sunrise, with all activity well off to our east by 7 AM. I have posted the HIRES NAM model which is valid for 7 AM.

The remainder of the day will remain dry with temps rising to near 80 degrees. The humidity will start to noticeably diminish by the time we reach the evening hours.

Looking ahead into the long range, I am keeping an eye between this Sunday through Tuesday where I expect our first real mini 'Heat Wave' of the Summer Season. I think all three days have a shot at reaching 90 degrees, with Monday being the hottest of the three. The image I have to represent this is the 12z run from yesterday's European model. This model shows widespread middle 90s, with upper 90s into Northern Virginia for highs this Monday!

European model High Temps Valid Monday (7/20)