SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Wednesday was hot with highs in the lower 90s and heat index values into the triple digits. VIPIR Radar was only tracking a few isolated showers.

That will likely be the case over the next few days. Afternoon highs will become hotter as we head toward the weekend thanks to a drier patter. 

A LOOK AHEAD

Thursday and Friday will feature a mix of clouds and sunshine. A few stray showers and storms are possible.

Highs will be in the low to mid 90s with heat index values approaching 105°F during the mid to late afternoon hours. 

Temperatures will become even hotter over the weekend as an area of high pressure settles in. The high will suppress any significant rain and storm chances and will help highs to warm into the upper 90s.

There will be enough low-level humidity that will give us heat index values close to 110°F at times. 

Be sure to stay cool and hydrated if you plan to engage in any outdoor activities over the next several days, but especially over the weekend when we will have the hottest temperatures. 

TRACKING THE TROPICS 

Part of the reason for the hotter and drier pattern setting up is due to a disturbance to our southwest. This is something that the National Hurricane Center continues to monitor for potential tropical development.

It is located in the northern Gulf near the Florida Panhandle south of Tallahassee now.

It is moving westward and is producing areas of some heavy rain. Winds near the broad circulation have been gusty at times across the Panhandle, southwest Georgia and southern Alabama. 

Most model guidance suggests that this system will remain very close to the northern Gulf Coast over the next few days. This will limit how organized and how strong it may become.

It is possible for a tropical depression to form within the next few days as this system moves toward Louisiana.

The development chance is medium at 40% as of Wednesday evening. The primary concern for the northern Gulf Coast will be heavy rain regardless of if this develops into something tropical or not. 

No other development is expected over the next five to seven days across the Atlantic Basin.