An air quality alert is in effect now through 11 p.m. This can happen when high pressure systems dominate an area, allowing for little airflow to help clear out pollutants like ground level ozone.

Temperatures are soaring into the low 90s for Friday. A touch of humidity will make it feel extra toasty, so make sure you are seeking air conditioning and shade.

It should be a decent day for the beach or outdoor activities, so long as you are wearing sunscreen and staying hydrated. Wind will start to pick up during later portions of the day.

Intense heat lingers into the first half of the weekend. In order to catch a break from the 90s, we will likely need showers and thunderstorms. Those could arrive as early as Saturday night and linger into Sunday, making it a half decent half lousy weekend. Temperatures will drop back to the 80s on Sunday and cool off into the 70s for early next week.