Temperatures in the 90s this afternoon, humidity remains low

The summer heat returns to the forecast and will stick around into early next week. The weekend will see highs climb into the 90s as an upper-level ridge builds over the region.  

• Friday: Partly cloudy and hot. Highs in the low 90s.

• Saturday: Partly cloudy. High of 95 degrees.

• Sunday: Partly cloudy skies and hot. Showers and storms possible in our northern counties by the end of the day. Highs in the mid to upper 90s.

Due to ozone concentrations reaching or exceeding unhealthy levels, an air quality alert was issued for the Triangle and some surrounding areas. Those who are sensitive to the decreased air quality including children, elderly, and those with heart or lung disease should limit time outdoors today.

Sinking air beneath high pressure not only keeps us dry, but it will eventually lead to out hot weekend. We've had 10 90-degree days so far this year, and we'll see more of that during this summer-like pattern.

Friday started out delightfully cool, just about 60 degrees. But the day will quickly warm up into the low 90s.  

We will see that summer heat throughout the weekend.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday will all see highs in the 90s. Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said most of the weekend will stay dry, but we'll see a front late Sunday into Monday that could bring a few storms.

“I don't think we're going to break any records this weekend, but we will come close,” WRAL meteorologist Mike Maze said.

Our lone shot of rain is a brief one, thanks to a backdoor front that comes through Sunday night into Monday. 

Monday was the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs until November 30. 

While the Atlantic basin is quiet so far, Tropical Storm Amanda is churning in the middle of the Pacific. This is what we call a "fish storm," unlikely to impact any areas of land.

WRAL is forecasting near-to-below-average activity in the Atlantic Basin this season. Keep in mind that doesn't mean we're completely void of storms. 

WATCH: We discuss the reasoning behind that forecast in this special report.

While recent rains have eased the drought a bit, especially in the south-central part of the state, the Triangle is still about 10 to 14 inches behind normal rainfall this year.

There's been no rain at Raleigh Durham International Airport since May 25.

Much of western and central North Carolina is in an extreme drought -- the highest level, according to the latest drought monitor.

"The drought is still likely to persist into the summer months," WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels said. "We need a ton of rain to get rid of it -- it's going to take months."

The U.S. Drought Monitor is an aggregation of measurements including precipitation, soil moisture, evaporation, temperature and reservoir levels that classifies conditions at six levels:

• None: Normal conditions
• Abnormally dry
• Moderate drought
• Severe drought
• Extreme drought
• Exceptional drought

In an extreme drought, major crop and pasture losses are expected, reservoirs and wells are at very low levels and many municipalities limit water use.

• Friday: Getting hotter. Highs in the lower 90s.
• Saturday: Partly cloudy and hotter. Highs jump to the low to mid 90s.
• Sunday: Spotty storms. Highs in the low to mid 90s.
• Monday: Tracking the chance for showers and storms. Highs in the upper 80s.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, cooler and less humid. Highs in the lower-mid 80s.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 80s.
• Thursday: A few spotty storms possible. It's hotter with highs in the low 90s.