Extra-sweaty, stormy summer forecast?

This summer won't be as hot as last year's record-breaking scorcher, but it might feel as hot, while being somewhat stormier, according to AccuWeather.

Highs in June, July and August - the so-called meteorological summer - should be close to normal in the Philadelphia area, said meteorologist Jack Boston of the State College-based service's long-range forecast team.

That means low 80s in June, mid 80s in July and August.

Last summer, an unprecedented 55 days hit 90 degrees or higher.

The humidity, however, will likely out-icky last year's, making conditions feel just as hot.

"We're probably looking at pretty near equivalent heat indexes, I suppose," Boston said.

Thunderstorm activity could also be up, with "nocturnal convective complexes" spawned by clashes between an overheated Southwest and cooler-than-usual patterns over the Ohio Valley and the Great Lakes, he said.

As a result, some nights and mornings across Pennsylvania could be disrupted by thunder and lightning, even hail.

Daytime pop-up thunderstorms will remain part of the mix, and as an active hurricane season progresses later in the summer, the Philadelphia area could see rain from the remnants of tropical storms coming up the coast or from the Gulf of Mexico, Boston said.

Tornado warnings are possible, too, although the threat of twisters normally declines from spring. Nationwide, the number of tornado deaths this year has exceeded every year since the 1930s.

As for the Shore, more breezes at the beaches might help counteract the mugginess between storms.

"There's going to be a lot of good beach days," Boston said.

For the national picture, go to www.accuweather.com/blogs/news/story/50009/the-accuweathercom-2011-summer.asp.