SYRACUSE -- Temperatures continue to climb through the 80s across the entire area through this afternoon.  A few spots may approach or exceed 90°.

In Syracuse, if Hancock Airport hits 90°, it would be the 10^th time that has occurred in 2010.  We have already had seven 90° days during this month of July alone.  On an average summer, Syracuse receives eight days of 90° or higher.  The record amount of days with at least 90° during one year was 28 days set back in 1955.

As temperatures and dew points increase late this afternoon, and as upper level wind and dynamics move our way, the threat for thunderstorms will increase.  There is even a slight risk for a strong or severe thunderstorm depending upon how storms form either to our west or locally.  The best chance for any thunderstorms in Central New York will occur at or after 5:00 pm.

Between 5:00 and 9:00 pm, localized pop-up thundershowers will be a possibility as homegrown clouds tower into the sky.  A system over Michigan and southern Ontario will spark a second opportunity for rain and thunderstorms between 9:00 pm and 2:00 am late tonight. Stay tuned for on-air and online weather coverage.

For more on your weather forecast, click on “Weather” and then the “Live Triple Doppler Radar” tab on our weather page.  Make sure you refresh the Doppler radar to see the very latest information, as well.  Furthermore, we have our new Interactive Doppler Radar on our website.  You can zoom down to street level with Interactive Doppler Radar.  You are in total control of where the radar can zoom in.  Give it a try.  Plus, click on our Watches and Warnings map to see the very latest county specific watches and warnings.  In addition, you can “follow” along with me on Twitter by either clicking on the “follow” button on the Twitter section of our weather page or by visiting www.twitter.com/PeteWeatherBeat.