WEATHER BLOG: Summer Returns

An upper level shortwave is crossing the region Monday and is producing plenty of cloud cover across the viewing area. The shortwave is helping to pull some atmospheric moisture northward into the area, just a small extension of the deep moisture in place across the Southeast. The instability is not really that impressive, so we feel that it would be a shower in more cases than a thunderstorm in the area, but we don't want to rule the thunderstorm out.

Sunshine will be more abundant on Tuesday than on Monday as high pressure controls most levels of the atmosphere.

Summertime heat and humidity will be back in full force as afternoon temperatures surge into the middle and upper 80s and dew points reach the middle and upper 60s. While some residents may consider it to be "uncomfortably warm," it will make for excellent beach weather. In fact, the only feeling of reprieve will be at the Jersey Shore where midday sea breezes will help to temper the heat. Even there, temperatures should manage to reach the lower 80s. High heat and humidity is expected again on Wednesday as high pressure remains the dominant weather player. From Baltimore to Boston, temperatures will be right up near the 90-degree mark.

We aren't talking record high temperature territory (Wednesday BWI record is 97, set back in 1899), but the sultriness won't be anything to sneeze at. Additionally,  climatology tells us that we have moved past the warmest part of the summer, and so it can be a bit harder to get what is technically considered a "heat wave" in the Eastern Region -- or, three consecutive days or more of 90 degree temperatures or greater.