A strong ridge of high pressure will act as a heat pump for the new few days. It will draw in increasingly hot and humid air, when coupled with sunshine, will make it feel quite oppressive. High temperatures will climb into the upper 90s Wednesday and Thursday. Heat Index values...how how it feels outside...will climb to 100 degrees or higher at times. isolated thunderstorms could develop later Thursday afternoon. But the best chances for showers and thunderstorms, this week, will be on Friday as a cold front approaches our area from the northwest. We are forecasting high temperatures to hold in the lower 90s Friday afternoon. FYI....the record high temperature tomorrow in Washington is 98 degrees. That record could be tied or broken!  Also, be aware that a CODE ORANGE Air Quality Alert has been issued for tomorrow.