StormTracker 8: Hot/humid weather today; possible strong storms late

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) - Get ready for summer-like weather conditions the next couple of days, and multiple additional rounds of showers and thunderstorms as we head into the upcoming weekend. Also, continue to stay off the James River. More on that below.

Today’s forecast for Friday calls for partly sunny skies, hot and humid conditions this afternoon with highs around 92 degrees and heat index values of 95 to 97 degrees, so hydration is crucial especially when outdoors this afternoon.

Also, we are tracking possible strong to severe storms late today. The risks we are monitoring late Friday are the following: damaging wind gusts, heavy rainfall, lightning and small hail. The approximate timing of these storms is around 4:00 p.m. and afterwards.

Tonight’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies, muggy conditions overnight getting down into the lower 70s with a possible lull in the shower and thunderstorm activity, before another round of showers and a storm or two pushes through on Saturday morning.

Saturday’s forecast calls for morning showers and a possible storm or two; then partly sunny skies, hot and humid conditions Saturday afternoon with highs approaching 90 degrees and heat index values of around 95 degrees, so again hydration is crucial especially when outdoors on Saturday afternoon.

It is highly recommended to stay off the James River through Saturday afternoon, due to all of the recent rainfall, the ongoing debris and runoff happening and the high river levels.

Sunday and Monday will be closer to seasonable afternoon temperatures, closer to 80 degrees under mostly sunny skies both days.

Next Tuesday through next Thursday, we will be tracking an approaching storm system that will bring rainy conditions particularly for next Wednesday.

Also, next Tuesday through next Friday, are all trending below average for temperatures, particularly in the afternoons, in the lower to middle 70s.