Relief For Outdoor Workers Ahead.

Big projects like the Market Street Bridge make-over take a long time. And it seems like the gang working on it have been making pretty good progress. I spent a little time last Friday "inspecting" their work and snapping these pictures. Honestly, this scale of construction amazes me. They have been hitting it hard almost every day for a year no matter what the weathers like. And the last few days have to be the kind of weather they dread the most. But there's a break coming right around the corner. A weak front will trigger some rain and storms and bring our temperatures back into the bearable range.
Air quality has been an issue lately as well. Another "Code Orange" day with unhealthy levels of Ozone and particles in the air. According to the EPA, days like this effect 50% of the population in the sensitive group. People who have respiratory difficulties like asthma should stay inside as much as possible this afternoon.
By the way, "Beryl" was named the second tropical storm of the Atlantic season late yesterday afternoon. This morning "Beryl" had 40 mph sustained winds and the National Hurricane Center keeps this as a tropical storm. Their official path right now has it moving parallel to the East coast the out over the open North Atlantic. Check it out here:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/084323.shtml?5day

Today: Hot & Hazy, 20% for an isolated storm in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Highs around 97.

Tonight: Storms fade, fair skies overnight with lows around 72.

Thursday: Partly cloudy, 20% chance for an isolated storm area-wide. Highs around 95.

Friday: Scattered storms with highs around 92.

Saturday: Scattered showers and storms. Highs around 87.

Sunday: Fewer showers and storms. Highs around 86.

If the models are right this morning, this front will open the door to dry enough air to feel a lot more comfortable the first part of next week. Instead of waking up to lows in the 70s, we could see lows in the low to mid 60s. Still a bit humid, but not nearly what we have had since this past weekend.