Hot and sunny weather continues across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia today, with temperatures remaining above normal for the second half of the week.

Today will be sunny with a high near 93 degrees. Humidity will be on the increase, and that could push heat index values as high as 97 during the afternoon. Winds will remain light, starting out calm before becoming southwest at around 5 mph.

Tonight will stay mostly clear with a low near 69 degrees and calm winds.

The weather pattern begins to change Friday as deeper Gulf moisture moves into the region. Friday will still be hot, with a high near 93, but shower and thunderstorm chances will begin to increase during the afternoon. There is a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 PM, with another 40 percent chance continuing Friday night. Overnight lows will be around 70.

Saturday is expected to be the wettest day of the weekend. Showers and thunderstorms are likely, especially during the afternoon, with rain chances increasing to 80 percent. The high will be near 89. Some storms could produce heavy downpours, and forecasters say locally gusty winds will also be possible. The overall severe weather threat remains low.

Rain and thunderstorm chances continue Saturday night before gradually decreasing overnight.

Sunday will remain somewhat unsettled, with a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. Otherwise, skies will be mostly sunny with a high near 90. Rain chances drop to around 30 percent Sunday night.

The warm and humid pattern continues into early next week. Monday and Tuesday will both see highs around 91, with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible each day.

Forecasters say temperatures will remain above normal through the end of the week, while increasing Gulf moisture pushes humidity levels higher. Heat index readings may approach 100 degrees in some parts of the region before increased cloud cover and rainfall provide some relief over the weekend.