Hot summer weather and humidity rule the weekend forecast across central Maryland. 

After peaking in the upper 80s and lower 90s this afternoon, temperatures are cooling through the 80s and back into the 70s this evening. The sky remains partly cloudy. Earlier showers and storms have diminished. The forecast remains dry overnight. 

Hot weather more noticeable Sunday afternoon

Sunday begins with temperatures in the low to mid-70s across greater Baltimore and much of Maryland. The day begins dry, with lots of sunshine. Temperatures quickly warm into the mid and upper 80s by noon. 

Temperatures peak in the low to mid-90s before 5 p.m. Sunday. Afternoon heat gives way to a few pop-up showers and storms. Sunday certainly won't be a washout. But whatever storms do manage to develop will produce brief heavy rain and lots of lightning. 

Erin weakens slightly after reaching Category 5 

Hurricane Erin reached Category 5 status Saturday morning, with 160 mph sustained winds north of the Antilles following a period of rapid intensification. Rapid intensification is defined as "an increase in the maximum sustained winds of a tropical cyclone of at least 30 kt in a 24-hour period" according to the National Hurricane Center. That equates to about 35 mph. Erin surpassed that threshold. Erin strengthened from 75 mph at 2 pm Friday to 160 mph by 11:20 am Saturday. That's an increase of more than 80 MPH in a less than 24-hour period.

Erin is currently undergoing a period of reorganization and is also battling some subtle wind shear. Fluctuations in strength are possible over the next 36 hours. Erin is forecast to reach Category 5 status again on Sunday. 

The center of Erin (where the strongest winds are) will stay far away from land. Still, brief periods of heavy rain and breezy winds are expected across the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Turks and Caicos and possibly the D.R. Erin is forecast to move northwest and eventually parallel the East Coast during the upcoming week, after a more northerly turn. During that time, Erin will churn up rough surf and dangerous rip currents at the beaches up and down the East Coast. The worst ocean conditions begin Tuesday, locally. 

Cooler weather in Maryland next week

The same front that is going to help steer "Erin" away from the United States will bring a greater chance of rain to Maryland on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by refreshingly low humidity and cooler temperatures. Baltimore dips back into the mid and upper 80s Monday afternoon. Temperatures stay in the upper 70s and lower 80s across central Maryland on Tuesday afternoon, through the rest of the week.

The forecast features comfortably warm weather, lower humidity and a dry forecast beyond Wednesday of next week.