DELMARVA - Sussex County residents can expect a turbulent end to Thursday, as a line of strong thunderstorms moves across the region ahead of a cold front. The National Weather Service has placed the area under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch through 9 p.m., citing favorable conditions for damaging winds and possible hail.
The storms are expected to clear the Delmarva coast by later in the evening. Once the cold front passes overnight, drier and cooler air will filter in behind it, with overnight lows dipping into the low to mid-60s.
Friday will bring a noticeable but temporary break from the humidity. High pressure to the south will bring mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the low to mid-80s, accompanied by much lower dew points and a westerly breeze.
However, that relief will be short-lived.
As the weekend approaches, a ridge of high pressure centered over the Tennessee Valley will expand eastward. This will bring rising temperatures and increasingly humid conditions, particularly by Sunday. Heat index values could push near 100 degrees inland and west of the coast, especially along the I-95 corridor. Isolated severe thunderstorms may form in northern Delaware Saturday night, depending on how quickly the ridge builds in.
Looking ahead to early next week, the forecast calls for dangerous heat to settle in. Highs in the mid to upper 90s and dew points in the 70s will create widespread heat indices in the triple digits. Overnight lows may also remain uncomfortably warm in urban areas, offering little overnight relief. Heat Advisories or Excessive Heat Warnings are expected to be issued for parts of the region by Monday or Tuesday.
There may be a slight dip in heat by Thursday of next week as the ridge weakens slightly, possibly allowing for more cloud cover and scattered storms.
Residents are advised to stay weather aware Thursday evening, stay hydrated through the weekend, and keep an eye on local alerts as heat risks increase.