In Staunton, a break in the heat is on the way and it's going to feel glorious

STAUNTON – With a brutal month of oppressive heat and little relief and even less rain, it looks like we are finally getting a break this coming weekend. With the heat index hovering over 100 degrees, low 80s will feel more like a spring day than summer.

There is a cold front pressing southward and eventually it's going to get through to the Shenandoah Valley, said Tom Kines, senior meteorologist for AccuWeather. Thursday is going to be cooler, but with the clouds there will still be some humidity, he added.

"I think we gotta wait until Friday when we get a break in the humidity," said Kines. "The big thing is the heat will be trimmed."

The cold front that is coming through will provide us with some relief, but Kines said it's not out of the question that it pushes back north over the weekend which means more humidity.

"If we do get a break in the humidity on Friday, enjoy it because it might come back this weekend."

Rain? Kines said that there's a possibility we might see a few days of showers and thunderstorms next week. It would be the same cold front that will head north and then next week it may go back and forth.

"It's extremely dry and we do need the rain."

Hazardous weather outlook Monday through Wednesday

The National Weather Service issued a hazardous weather outlook early Monday morning for portions of eastern West Virginia, northern and central Virginia, and central and western Maryland.

An excessive heat warning is in effect from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday for the northern Shenandoah Valley into Washington County, Maryland, as well as northern Baltimore and Harford counties. A heat advisory is in effect elsewhere.

An isolated thunderstorm may produce damaging winds Monday afternoon and evening.

An excessive heat watch is in effect Tuesday for most of the outlook area excluding Augusta and Nelson counties. An isolated thunderstorm may produce damaging winds Tuesday afternoon and evening. Hot and humid conditions will continue Wednesday. Heat index values between 100 to 105 degrees are possible, especially east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging wind gusts are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening.

National Weather Service forecast July 15-July 21

Monday

Scattered showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 100. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday night

Scattered showers and thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Southwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tuesday night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday night

Showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday night

A chance of thunderstorms before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday

A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday night

A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 40%.