Record high of 97 degrees set Wednesday at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport was hotter than ever Wednesday, according to Mike Clay, Bay News 9 chief meteorologist.

The airport reported a high of 97 degrees at 1:24 p.m., according to Clay — a new record high for July 26. The old record was 96, set on July 27 in 1998, 1996 and 1968.

It will be even hotter the next couple of days with lower rain chances, Clay reported.

Tampa’s high of 95 at 4 p.m. Wednesday was just two degrees shy of a record.

Evening thunderstorms are still possible with a hot and humid air mass in place. It will be partly cloudy to clear and warm overnight.

High pressure and drier air will be in place through Thursday. Rain chances will only be 20 percent Thursday with temperatures a little above normal. The heat index could top 100-104 in the afternoon

On Friday, the rain chance will increase to around 40 percent as some moisture moves back into the area.

This weekend will feature partly sunny skies and a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms each day. The rain chance is around 40 percent.

Saturday and Sunday, the high temperatures will be in the low to mid-90s. Overnight lows will be in the mid- to upper 70s.

This story was originally published July 27, 2016 at 8:20 PM with the headline "Record high of 97 degrees set Wednesday at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport."