8:00 PM THURSDAY UPDATE:

Today was a record setter with 104 degrees in Tyler, breaking the old record of 103 set in 1980. Longview officially hit 103 breaking the old record of 101 set way back in 1914. Other highs across the area included 103 in Palestine, 101 in Jacksonville, 104 in both Lufkin and Nacogdoches, 106 in Crockett, 102 in Henderson and Mineola and 100 in Gilmer. Only Sulphur Springs and Mount Pleasant failed to hit 100...but topped out at 99.

The intense heat will continue through Saturday and a heat advisory is now in effect. Highs should reach 102-106 across most of the area both Friday and Saturday. Thankfully it's still looiing good for that cold front on Monday meaning showers and thunderstorms and a significant break in the heat for at least 2 or 3 days.

FORECAST DETAILS:

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and warm. Low: 75. Winds: SE 5 mph

FRIDAY through SATURDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy and continued hot. Afternoon Highs 102-106 with heat index values reaching 110 in some areas. Winds SSE 5-10 mph on Friday, then SSW 10-15 mph on the Fourth of July and on Sunday.

SATURDAY EVENING FIREWORKS: Mostly clear and continued warm and humid. 9 PM Temperatures in the 90s.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy and not quite as hot with a chance (40%) for thunderstorms in the late afternoon or night. Low 77, High 97. Winds SSW 10 mph.

MONDAY: Variable cloudiness with a pretty good chance (70%) for a few showers and thunderstorms. Low 72, High 88. Winds South, becoming NE 10 mph but with much stronger gusts near thunderstorms.

TUESDAY: A mixture of clouds and sunshine...still a chance (40%) for a few scattered thunderstorms (mainly in eastern and southern areas). Low 70, High 90. Wind ENE 10 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny and warmer. Low 72, High 95. Winds ESE 10 mph.

THURSDAY: Sunny and hotter. Low 74, High 99. Winds SE 10 mph.

Scott Chesner