MONDAY WEATHER ... The heat is on

Extreme heat and very little rain highlight the weather picture for the first week of July.

Daytime highs today will reach the mid to upper 90, under partly cloudy skies. Winds will be light and variable.

Skies will be partly cloudy. Overnight lows will drop into the mid 70s.

Partly cloudy skies and a slight chance of rain are in the forecast for Tuesday. Highs will again reach the mid to upper 90s, with winds from the west at 5 mph.

Overnight lows will dip into the mid 70s.

Expect ideal weather for Fourth of July events in Plaquemine, Donaldsonville and Baton Rouge, or  picnics and swimming. Highs will approach the mid 90s with only a slight chance of rain.

Lows will drop into the mid 70s.

Rain chances increase slightly by the weekend. A signficant chance of percipitation enters the forecast the first part of next week.