The week will begin partly sunny and hot with a chance of patriotism—and a stray shower or thunderstorm. Heat will be the big story through the week.

THE FORECAST:

Today and Tonight: Like Sunday, a stray shower or perhaps even a thunderstorm is possible. On the off chance one does pass by, consider it a welcome cool down from the continued heat. No holiday activities will be washed out. Skies will be mostly sunny with a high in the mid 90s. As you have likely noticed, humidity has continued increasing over the weekend. The evening call for WBRZs Fireworks on the Mississippi is mostly clear and muggy with temperatures in the upper 80s around 9pm. The overnight low will be in the mid 70s.

Up Next: Through the remainder of the week rinse (the sweat off) and repeat. Tuesday to Friday look for mostly sunny afternoons, with high temperatures in the mid 90s and elevated humidity creating peak heat feels like temperatures between 105 – 110 degrees. A stray shower or storm can't be ruled out, but is unlikely. Don't look for relief overnight, we'll run lows in the upper 70s.

THE SCIENCE:

Forecast Discussion:  The pattern is being dictated by an upper level ridge parked over the Southeastern United States. Subsidence from the ridge is leaving little room for convection and this heat is the story. Extra sunshine and climbing dew points will bring highs in the mid 90s and lows in the upper 70s through the week. Any kind of lake or sea breeze may be able to spark a brief shower due to the conditionally unstable air at the surface-- but birthing widespread is expected through the week. 

 --Josh

For updates, stay connected with Meteorologist Josh Eachus:

Twitter: @Josh_Eachus

Google+: Josh Eachus 

Facebook: Meteorologist Josh Eachus