Spring 2011 hit the rear view mirror at 12:16 p.m. Tuesday and I'm guessing many were ready to see it go.

Generally cool and wet, this year's spring failed miserably in living up to the expectations of most. Perhaps the most strange occurrence in the unseasonably cool season was that Mother Nature somehow managed to mix in three straight days of record highs in the 90s.

Summer 2011 begins with dripping humidity. Many may choose to run air conditioners not because it's warm, but simply to squeeze some of the dampness out of the house.

Meanwhile,  it will remain plenty damp outside as there will be periods of rain and thunderstorms Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Storms on Tuesday and Tuesday night could be very heavy and may lead to trouble for those in flood-prone areas.

Within two days of the start of summer, temperatures will nose-dive. Unseasonably cool highs in the 60s are expected both Thursday and Friday. The normal high is 79. Highs will slowly moderate back into the 70s over the weekend.

There is reason for great optimism about the weather beginning next week and all the way through the weekend of the 4th of July.

Not only does it look like a drier stretch of weather,  but a big warm-up appears to be in the cards. Indications are we'll have an extended stretch of days with highs in the 80s beginning in true middle of next week. Plus, readings at or above 90 aren't off the table for the 4th of July weekend.