A stretch of somewhat drier air will make the mid-August heat a little more tolerable across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, but temperatures will remain firmly in the 90s before rain and thunderstorm chances begin increasing later this week.

Wednesday will be sunny and dry with a high near 94 degrees. Winds will be light, becoming northwesterly around 5 mph. The National Weather Service says some of the driest air the region has seen in quite some time will continue filtering into Georgia, helping keep humidity and heat index values lower than they otherwise would be with temperatures in the mid-90s. No heat advisories are in effect for today.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.

Thursday will bring another hot afternoon, with a high near 95 and heat index values potentially reaching 101 degrees. Most of the day should remain mostly sunny, although a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms develops during the late afternoon.

Forecasters are also watching a cold front moving southward toward the region. Thunderstorms developing along that boundary could push into North Georgia Thursday, although there remains some uncertainty over how well those storms will hold together as they encounter the relatively dry air currently in place.

The chance of showers and thunderstorms increases to 40 percent Thursday night, with a low around 72.

Friday could become more unsettled as moisture returns and northwesterly flow develops across the Southeast. There is a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day, with a high near 92. Friday night carries a 30 percent chance of rain and storms before conditions gradually improve overnight.

The National Weather Service says the developing weather pattern could support more organized thunderstorm complexes late this week and into the weekend. Forecast guidance is beginning to indicate some potential for severe weather, although it remains too early to determine exactly where or when the greatest threat could develop. Residents should continue monitoring forecasts as higher-resolution guidance becomes available.

Heat will also remain a concern Friday. Increasing moisture could push heat index values above 100 degrees in portions of the region, and heat-related advisories may become necessary.

The weekend currently looks considerably quieter locally. Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 92 and a mostly clear night with a low around 69. Sunday will also be sunny with a high near 92 before temperatures fall to around 68 Sunday night.

A frontal boundary settling southward should bring some relief from the humidity during the weekend, even though afternoon temperatures remain in the 90s.

Monday will be mostly sunny with a high near 91. A slight chance of showers returns Monday night, followed by a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday. Tuesday’s high is expected to reach around 93.