Heat, humidity and scattered thunderstorms in forecast before July 4

Buffalo, New York (WBEN) – Mother Nature cooperated with mild weather for some of the major fireworks displays leading up to Independence Day on Wednesday night, and conditions will only be better for the Fourth of July.

Although clouds will roll in Thursday, the National Weather Service forecast in Buffalo predicts mild weather for the July 4 holiday. “Today is fairly typical midsummer heat with highs around 78 degrees Fahrenheit,” NWS meteorologists say. “Temperatures will drop to the 70s and 72s tonight.”

Independence Day and evening will be characterized by dry, but still very hot and humid weather. Another system will bring more showers and thunderstorms Friday night and Saturday.

For the long weekend, weather is expected to be warm on Friday, with highs approaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit along the shores of Lake Erie in the Buffalo area and throughout the Genesee Valley. The risk of showers and thunderstorms will increase Friday afternoon and evening.

Saturday will be windy, with southwest winds gusting over 30 mph in places. The Buffalo-Niagara region is expected to be rain-free and cooler with highs between 20 and 27 degrees.

A high pressure area will bring clear and generally pleasant weather to the region with comfortable humidity levels and plenty of sunshine on Sunday.