Forecast: Hot Week Ahead

This is going to be a hot week, but it's the start of July, and the fact it's hot is about as noteworthy as it being cold in January. That said an increasingly warm and humid flow of air from the tropics will create a pattern that brings the hottest stretch of the summer so far to the region. Highs the next few days are going to be in the 80s to lower 90s with the core of the heat and humidity likely being Wednesday.

Today is a great beach day, and although it will be warm, the humidity won't be so bad as to make it extremely uncomfortable. Tonight begins the first of several nights of sticky weather when, if you don't have air conditioning, it's going to be difficult to get a good nights sleep. I know some of you like this weather, but I think the majority of us prefer the nights as they have been: cool and dry.

Showers are not a risk until Wednesday. On that day the risk is still small, but, because the heat will be so high, it might build up enough to produce a few storms. Those that do see rain might see heavy rain. Most of us stay dry.

Thursday is the day with the greatest chance of rain and thunderstorms. There are many towns with fireworks on the 3rd, and these could be delayed.

As a cold front passes through the area late Thursday night and Friday I expect these showers to continue. Friday, if the front keeps moving, will clear and there won't be any issues for all the activities. However, if the front slows we could see a lot of clouds and a few showers. I'll have a better idea on the timing of the clearing as the week progresses.

Monday: Sunny with highs in the mid 80s. Cooler on the south coast.

Monday night: Partly cloudy. Not as comfortable for sleeping. Lows of 63 to 68.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, hot and humid. Highs of 85 to 90. Cooler on the south coast.

Wednesday: Very humid and hot. Highs in the lower 90s. Cooler on the south coast/Cape Cod. There is the risk for a pop-up shower or storm, especially west of Route 128.

Thursday: A blend of clouds and sunshine with scattered showers and storms. Highs of 88 to 93.

Friday: Lots of clouds. A risk of showers and storms but most of the time is dry. Highs in the 80s.

Follow updates from David Epstein on Twitter @growingwisdom.