The heat returns on Thursday, near-record heat is expected this weekend

This evening: Mostly clear, not as cool, but still comfortable with low humidity. Lows will be in the low to mid 60s.

Tomorrow: Thursday will be mostly sunny and warmer as an upper-level high pressure system builds toward Alabama from the west. High temperatures will be in the lower 90s.

There is an air quality alert for Thursday. If you suffer from respiratory illnesses, please stay indoors in air conditioning. The rest of us can save energy by carpooling, fueling your car after 6 p.m., mowing the lawn after 6 p.m., and combining all your errands into one trip.

On Friday, the ridge of high pressure will be located over the southeastern United States. This will help raise temperatures and make it warmer. We will be generally sunny, warm and increasingly humid with near record temperatures in the mid 90s. The record is 98° set in 1971. The heat index will be around 100°.

Father's Day Weekend Outlook: The upper-level ridge of high pressure will move toward the East Coast, allowing tropical moisture to move northward from the Caribbean toward the southeastern United States. We will stay dry on Saturday with mostly sunny skies and near-record heat. Temperatures in the mid to upper 90s. The record is 98° set back in 2011. The heat index will be 100-105°. On Sunday, tropical humidity will make it partly cloudy with a few scattered showers and thunderstorms. Near-record high temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90s, and the heat index will be between 100 and 105°. The record is 99° established in 1952.