Sweltering hot high pressure currently extends from Mexico to Texas, and it's the reason we're already feeling like summer.  Today's forecast calls for daytime temps to run up to near 97, which would put us 10 degrees above the normal and slightly over the daily record of 96 from 1925.  The metro record to beat tomorrow is 97, also from 1925.

The Austin Airport, we tied a record high 97 yesterday and today's record should be even easier to beat.  At that location, today's standing record daily high is 93 and tomorrow's is 95, both from 2013.  

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We're calling for mostly sunny skies and a lack of rainfall both today and tomorrow.  The difference?  Southeasterly winds will get stronger for our Friday, pumping in even more humidity to make it feel like 99 to 104 by around 4 o'clock at the hottest.  Make sure you're taking breaks from the outdoors and drink lots of water to stay hydrated.

One weak front is slowly moving through the northern half of Texas today but with little impact.  As far as storms are concerned, the greatest threat looks to be in the Panhandle where the dryline will be active once again with the chance for severe storms.

The high pressure ridge is forecast to shift east during the weekend, allowing temps to drop back to lower 90s on Saturday and Sunday here at home.

A weak cold front is expected to arrive into the Lone Star State by Sunday and it could help generate some showers and storms especially to our north.  It's a slim 20% rain chance in our region Sunday through Tuesday.

Temperatures should return to lower 90s for next week.  We'll talk more about the changes ahead on 'Weather on the 1s' so be sure to join us on TV or watch the live stream for more.

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I'm happy to highlight a beautiful "Picture of the Day" as our cover photo today.  Photographer and storm chaser Will Leverett (@312will) captured some of the wicked lightning we saw in the Hill Country on Tuesday night.  Leverett tells us you might be able to pick out Enchanted Rock in the lower right-hand part of the picture.  Dangerous to be around, but so incredibly awesome to look at.

Keep cool!
--Chief Meteorologist Burton Fitzsimmons (@Burton_Spectrum)