All sorts of misery on tap for today if you have to be outdoors in the Baltimore area. First, forecasters out in Sterling are looking for high temperatures in the low 90s this afternoon. Loads of humidity streaming in from the South along with the heat give us a chance for showers and thunderstorms late today and into this evening. Heat Index readings will approach 100 degrees.

Along with the heat and the sunshine (and air pollution) comes bad air quality. The forecast calls for parts of the region to slip into the Code Orange zone - unhealthy for sensitive groups - this afternoon. The same thing occurred yesterday. Here, at left, is the air quality map loop for Tuesday. Click here for today's air quality map.

The good news is the long-awaited cold front, which is passing the Great Lakes today. It's due here tomorrow and, after the clashing air masses finish stirring up more showers or storms, we should clear off some of the humidity.

Temperatures, however, seem likely to remain high - near 90 - well into next week.

We've had 19 days with highs of 90 or higher so far this summer. June and July have both averaged above the long-term norm.

That is hotter than we experienced last summer through July, with just 17 days of 90 or higher during June and July.

But it has been cooler than the Summer of 2006, which brought us 24 days of 90-degree heat in June and July. In July alone in 2006, BWI reported 18 days in the 90s or higher. This year we've seen just 10 through Tuesday.

Just stay inside.