Forecast: Sweating Out Some Strong Storms

Storms could be severe today; Heat wave on the way

My gosh, is June off to an active start or what? Occasional storms, some of which could be severe (moderate risk, says the Storm Prediction Center), will be the story today. Then, big-time heat and humidity arrive for an extended stay starting tomorrow.

TODAY (WEDNESDAY)

Storms... some severe? Warm and humid. Mid to upper 80s. Early-morning clouds, showers and thunderstorms should diminish by the morning commute, giving way to a partly sunny late morning through midday with still a chance of a shower or storm here or there.

As highs climb into the mid to upper 80s, with noticeably high humidity, the threat for showers and thunderstorms increases again for the late afternoon through early evening, when some storms could be severe -- with hail, damaging winds, the chance of an isolated tornado or two, and heavy rain. Storm after storm may track over the same areas (this is sometimes referred to as training) -- producing rainfall of 1-2" or more.

Tonight, muggy with a chance of showers and storms through midnight. Then, fog developing in some places with lows near 70.

Keep reading for the surprisingly scorching forecast into early next week. See NatCast and UnitedCast for the forecast for tonight's games.

THURSDAY

Warm. Humid. Near 90. Chance of showers/storms. Another warm and humid day with a good amount of sun and highs aiming for the 90-degree mark. The number and severity of showers and storms should be decreased from Wednesday, but a couple strong ones could pop up during the afternoon or early evening.

Overnight, partly cloudy with lows in the low to mid 70s downtown, upper 60s to near 70 in the burbs, and a small chance of a shower or thunderstorm.

A LOOK AHEAD

Friday through Tuesday are shaping up to be classic summer scorchers -- hazy, hot and humid with highs in the low to mid 90s each day and a chance that someone, somewhere, sees a passing shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. Confidence: Medium-High

As of now, it looks like it won't be until Wednesday that a cold front comes through -- with a chance of showers and thunderstorms -- and puts an end to our early-summer heat wave. Confidence: Medium