So you're a newcomer to Maryland? Or maybe you just got off a plane from, say, Minneapolis, and you stepped outside the terminal at BWI and could not believe you were expected to inhale this hot, gelatinous air. Well, welcome to summertime in Baltimore.

This, dear readers, is why air conditioning was invented. And air conditioning is what allows representative government in Washington to operate year-'round and still accomplish nothing.

The dew point here at Calvert & Centre streets popped above 70 degrees around 1 p.m. yesterday, and has been slip-sliding around in the low 70s ever since. And any dew points above 70 degrees or so begin to feel pretty uncomfortable. It slows our ability to evaporate sweat, which would ordinarily keep us cool. 

Temperatures are headed for the low 90s at the airport this afternoon - and for the next two afternoons, as well. And it won't dip below 70 at night. Relief?  Well, we'll get to that in a moment.

The blame for this hot, sticky weather - aside from it being summer at 39 degrees north latitude - lies with a high-pressure system spinning clockwise, as they do, just off the Atlantic Coast. That is bringing hot, humid Gulf and Atlantic air our way. 

Forecasters out at the Sterling Forecast Office say there is no strong likelihood of widespread (and much needed) thunderstorms for now. But, with all this moisture in the air, and the sun beating down, we could see some isolated boomers popping up in some spots. Parts of Northwest Baltimore got close to 2 inches of rain from one this afternoon. Ocean City saw some rain, too.

That could change late on Thursday, as another cold front approaches from the north and west. A threat of severe thunderstorms east of the mountains - and especially from Baltimore north and eastward - is being discussed.

Beyond that, forecasters are talking about a nice weekend on the other side of the cold front. Daytime temperatures could stick in the 70s on Friday and the low 80s into next week, with low humidities. Then we can inhale again.