MARYLAND — After much of the Old Line State was walloped with heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the weekend, residents will now have to turn their focus to a round of intense heat this week.
While scattered showers slightly help combat the drought impacting the region, the positives are short-lived as a heat dome will mix 100-degree temperatures with humid conditions.
Officials say the heat dome will impact more than two dozen states just this week alone.
A heat dome is described as being the result of intensifying high pressure that's been trapped in the upper portions of the atmosphere.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration states the weather event "allows the sun to create progressively hotter conditions on the ground."
But the same intensity that prompts scorching temperatures will also bring opportunities for a few showers and thunderstorms.
NWS forecasts the highest chance for heavy storms is during the upcoming July 4th weekend. Friday has just a 20% chance for rainfall.
Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday stay in the high 80s with mostly sunny conditions, but things take a left turn starting Wednesday.
The latest forecast issued by the National Weather Service shows high temperatures near 99 degrees by Wednesday, maxing out at 103 degrees on Thursday and Friday.
By Saturday, for the Fourth of July, max temperatures only come down to 100 degrees. A slight downward trend continues into Sunday.
Officials are urging residents to stay indoors and stay hydrated, or in shaded areas when outdoors.
"People who mind the heat will be very uncomfortable if they don't have air conditioning," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said.
"Dew point temperatures with this summer swelter will be well into the 70s in many areas."
High dew points severely impact a person's ability to naturally cool down, according to health officials.
In fact, the human body runs the risk of working twice as hard to cool down since built-up sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly because of the moisture that's already in the air.
Individuals could experience heat exhaustion, difficulty breathing, or dehydration, among other complications.
Maryland residents can find their closest cooling centers online.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 89. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 9 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. South wind 6 to 8 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 99. Southwest wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
Thursday: Sunny and hot, with a high near 103.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 80.
Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Sunny and hot, with a high near 103. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 79. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Saturday (Independence Day): A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 100. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Saturday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
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