A stretch of extremely hot weather and humidity will grip the Baltimore region through the middle of next week, along with occasional rounds of storms. 

Spotty strong storms diminish Friday night

Spotty strong storms, with tons of lightning, are moving through greater Baltimore and the Eastern Shore early Friday evening. Lightning has been frequent with evening storms. Storms gradually diminish after 9 p.m. The forecast trends drier overnight. 

Storm chances increase in Baltimore this weekend

Unusually hot weather and a risk of strong afternoon storms have prompted Saturday and Sunday Alert days. 

Saturday temperatures trend a few degrees cooler across Maryland, peaking in the low to mid-90s late in the afternoon. However, the mugginess continues. Heat index values will approach 100° by midday. Scattered afternoon and evening storms are possible. While not everyone will see rain, a few storms could produce torrential rain and gusty winds, in addition to tons of lightning. 

Sunday will be just as hot and humid as Saturday, with a greater chance of afternoon downpours. Though not everyone will see rain. Don't cancel plans. But, have a 'plan B' just in case... and a way to be alerted to storms approaching your plans. 

Maryland heat wave continues through Wednesday

It'll remain pretty hot, but drier Monday across central Maryland.

Heat spikes again Tuesday into Wednesday. Afternoon temperatures soar into the mid and upper 90s, with humidity pushing the heat index back into the 100°-105° range. Additional First Alert Weather Days may be necessary for Tuesday and Wednesday, due to the return of dangerous heat index temperatures.

Thursday will feel dramatically different. 

High temperatures will tumble into the low 80s, and much of the region will enjoy overnight lows in the 60s, particularly in the suburbs. A reinforcing shot of cooler and drier air will approach us from the northwest Thursday afternoon, which may spark another brief, but gusty shower or thunderstorm.