Hot & Dry

More sunshine and hot temperatures to round out the work week. Afternoon highs surged into the mid 90s again Wednesday, but dew points were in the upper 60s and the heat index stayed at or below 100. This pattern should stick around today, although humidity levels will become more noticeable with heat index values sliding into the lower 100s. A dry northerly flow in the upper levels should keep rain chances away again today, and possibly again Friday.A pattern shift is in the cards for the weekend and early next week. With more of an onshore flow setting up, humidity levels will be rising, and eventually some slight chances for rain. Only a few isolated afternoon showers or storms are possible Saturday and Sunday, but the chances for getting wet get better early next week. Expect temperatures over the weekend to run in the low to mid 90s and heat index levels in the 100-105 range. Monday and Tuesday we’ll see a better chance for rain and thunderstorms. And rainfall is needed in our area. We’re still running almost 13 inches below normal for Lafayette, while New Iberia is fairing better being just five inches below.  Lake Charles is around two inches below normal for the year, while Alexandria has a surplus of over seven inches! Thanks to some clouds and the scattered storms, next week’s temperatures should be in the lower 90s, then cooling into the 80s after rains move through.