The forecast for BWI-Marshall Airport today does not quite reach 90 degrees, but it is close enough, at 89. And we can probably expect another 90-plus day here in downtown Baltimore, where the "heat island effect" usually nudges the mercury higher.

There is relief on the way, as a cold front - the first of two this week - bears down on Central Maryland with some mid-week showers and storms.

But if the forecast holds up, we should expect more steamy weather in the 90s by the weekend.

Forecasters out at Sterling give us just a small chance for showers and storms today (Monday), with a steamy high of 89 degrees at BWI-Marshall. Most of the action should be to the west of the urban centers as the first cold front slides by late today or tonight out of the northwest.

That will bring us some high-pressure for Tuesday, but without the usual clearing. We'll have cooler highs - in the low 80s - but plenty of clouds, with a slight chance for showers on Tuesday. A second cold front on Wednesday will boost the risk for showers and storms to "likely." Highs will remain seasonable, in the mid-80s.

That front, however, will clear things out, with sunny weather due for the rest of the work week. Daytime highs will climb toward 90 degrees, with high humidity again by Saturday and lingering through Sunday.

So far this year BWI has recorded nine days of 90-plus temperatures. June is running more than 6 degrees above the long-term average for Baltimore. If that holds up through the end of the month, this would be the warmest June since 1994.

(SUN PHOTO: Nanine Hartzenbusch, 2005)