The weather pattern is about to turn much steamier as heat and humidity surge northward starting Wednesday. Showers and storms will enter the forecast, but there are still no signs of the prolonged, soaking rain needed to ease the region's drought.
Between Wednesday and Friday, showers and storms are possible each day. Some of Friday's storms, in particular, could be intense. Conditions then probably turn drier over the weekend. So a well-timed break for outdoor plans.
The chance for late-day showers and storms returns early next week as another cold front approaches. But there are no clear signs they will produce widespread, beneficial rainfall.
No rain has fallen so far this month, and this year's precipitation total is more than 5 inches below normal.
A blend of computer models projects about 0.5 to 1.0 inches of rain over the next week. That's better than nothing, but not enough to keep pace with normal rainfall through mid-June and far less than what's expected across parts of the central United States.
