Temperatures soared into the middle and upper 90s Tuesday afternoon across the Charlotte region - the area's hottest May temperatures for at least a decade.

And if near-record heat weren't bad enough, the air quality was poor, giving residents even more reason to seek shelter in air-conditioned quarters.

The news doesn't get any better: More of the same is expected into early next week.

"We're looking at temperatures a few degrees below the records, through the weekend," said Doug Outlaw, of the National Weather Service office in Greer, S.C.

Actually, much of the eastern United States, especially the Southeast, is experiencing much-above-average temperatures this week. A slow-moving high pressure system is expected to dominate area weather for several days.

Forecasters see a slight chance of thunderstorms late today and especially Thursday, but no widespread precipitation is forecast.

High temperatures today and Thursday are expected to be close to those day's records: 98 for today (set in 1918) and 99 for Thursday (in 1951). Tuesday marked the first time in at least 12 years - the local National Weather Service's website archives date back to 1999 - that May temperatures reached the middle 90s in Charlotte.

"While much of the East is dealing with this heat, parts of the West are well below average for temperatures," Outlaw said. "The pattern tends to work that way."

With very little air movement, ozone levels built Tuesday across the Charlotte region. The Air Quality Index at mid-afternoon was in the upper 80s - enough for Code Yellow conditions, in which people with respiratory problems are urged to use caution in outdoor activities. Code Orange conditions, with an Air Quality Index above 100, are possible today.