Another hot and humid day is ahead across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 96 degrees. Heat index values could reach around 102, so anyone spending time outdoors should take precautions during the hottest part of the afternoon.

There is only a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 3 PM, but any storm that develops could produce strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and heavy rain.

Tonight will be partly cloudy with a low around 70 and only a slight chance of an early-evening storm.

Sunday stays hot, with mostly sunny skies, a high near 93, and heat index values near 100. Rain chances remain low during the day, with only a 10 percent chance of a late-afternoon shower or thunderstorm.

A more unsettled weather pattern begins Monday. Highs remain near 93, but rain chances increase to around 40 percent Monday afternoon and 60 percent Monday night.

By Tuesday, showers and thunderstorms become more widespread, with rain chances reaching 70 percent and a high near 89. Scattered showers and storms continue into Wednesday, when temperatures finally begin to fall, with a high near 83.

By Thursday and Friday, much more comfortable weather is expected. Highs should settle near 82 degrees, with nighttime lows dropping into the lower 60s and drier conditions returning.

Forecasters say unseasonably hot conditions will continue through the beginning of the work week before the weather pattern finally changes. The combination of increasing moisture and afternoon instability will also keep a marginal risk for isolated strong to severe thunderstorms, with damaging wind gusts the primary concern.

By the latter part of next week, drier air should move into the region, bringing what forecasters describe as a pleasant taste of fall.