SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Tuesday afternoon was hot and humid with a few showers and storms. Most locations missed out on any rainfall today.

Inland areas such as Bulloch, Evans, Tattnall, Long and Wayne County had some brief downpours.

Highs topped out in the mid and upper 90s with hotter heat index values. The heat will be a bigger part of the weather story for the next several days as rain and storm chances remain low.

A LOOK AHEAD

Afternoon highs on Wednesday will top out in the low to mid 90s for most locations. A few inland spots may warm into the upper 90s. Heat index values will be over 105°F at times.

Isolated showers and storms are possible between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Storms will first develop along the coast with the sea breeze and then move inland toward I-95 by the early evening. 

A similar pattern will continue for Thursday and into the weekend with low-end storm chances and hot afternoons. Heat index values will remain over 105°F each afternoon.

Be sure to stay cool and hydrated while taking plenty of breaks in the air conditioning or shade.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to monitor Tropical Storm Erin in the eastern Atlantic. As of 5 p.m., Erin remains a minimal tropical storms with 45 mph sustained wind and gusts of 60 mph.

Erin is forecast to become better organized and stronger over the coming days. It is possible that Erin becomes the season’s first hurricane later this week and possibly a major hurricane (Cat. 3 or greater) over the weekend.

Erin is expected to continue a westward track over the next five to six days, before beginning to make a turn to the north over the weekend once north of Puerto Rico. An upper-level high will help steer Erin west this week.

Over the weekend and next week, we will be watching how strong the high stays and the timing with a trough of low pressure that will help to steer it northward away from the east coast of the U.S.

High surf and rip currents are possible along the east coast of the U.S. next week from Erin. There is no other direct threat at this time.

The NHC also is watching two other topical waves for potential development over the next week.

A weak wave has developed in the western Caribbean Sea and is moving toward the Yucatan Peninsula. It has a low (20%) chance of becoming a tropical depression or tropical storm over the next 5-7 days.

This tropical wave is forecast to move into the Bay of Campeche later this week. There is no threat to the U.S. from this system now.

A second tropical wave is located south of Nova Scotia now. It also has a low (10%) chance of development. This system poses no threat to the U.S. regardless of development.