Summer-like heat and the potential for severe storms

We are only halfway through May, but it will feel like the middle of summer on Thursday. A few patchy clouds this morning will give way to mostly sunny skies for a time during the afternoon. That sunshine will help temperatures surge into the low-80s across the area.

Clouds will increase again Thursday evening, and a round of showers and thunderstorms will become likely after midnight. This line of storms could include a couple of strong to severe thunderstorms with gusty winds, large hail, and an isolated tornado. Any lingering showers will come to an end around daybreak on Friday.

Skies will turn mostly sunny again Friday afternoon with temperatures rising into the mid-80s. While very warm for this time of year, Friday's high temperature will still fall shy of the record on that date (89 degrees in 1962).

Showers and storms will become likely again Friday night into early Saturday as a cold front moves through the area. Showers will taper off early Saturday with a mix of sun and clouds during the afternoon.

A slightly cooler pattern will settle in to start next week. High temperatures on Sunday will only reach the mid-60s with a mix of sun and clouds. Monday will be a brighter day, but temperatures will not be much different. Showers could re-enter the forecast late Tuesday night into Wednesday.