"Hot" is the word today, as temperatures reached the mid-70s before the start of the work day in the St. Lawrence Valley.

Today's high is predicted to reach 87, according to the National Weather Service.

And "rain" is the word for tomorrow, with an 80 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, heavy in some spots.

The high today is expected to be in the mid to upper 80s, hot for mid-June. It will be mostly sunny with light south winds. There is a slight chance of a passing shower today, according to the weather service.

It will begin to cloud up tonight. Lows will not dip below 60.

Tomorrow's high will be in the mid 70s. Half to three-quarters of an inch are possible, with showers and the chance of thunderstorms.

The rain is expected to continue tomorrow night and Wednesday, with cooling into the mid 50s Tuesday night and a high in the low 70s Wednesday.

You can keep track of weather developments at the NorthCountryNow.com weather page.

The NWS forecast for the St. Lawrence Valley and northwestern Adirondacks:

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. South wind between 5 and 8 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 7 and 10 mph.

Tuesday: Occasional showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then occasional showers and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 1pm. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. High near 74. South wind between 10 and 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then isolated showers between 8am and 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Northwest wind between 7 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 52.

Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 74.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 55.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 77.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 82.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 59.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 83.