Sunday should be last of 100-degree days; relief arrives Monday

Saturday's high temperatures of 102 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport marked the fifth day in a row with triple-digit heat, tying the record for such a streak in the Triangle.

2012 has seen nine days so far over 100 degrees, equaling the total from last summer, according to WRAL meteorologist Mike Moss. The most 100-degree days every in a Triangle summer is 12. 

"We'll see more high clouds again today, but it's still going to be plenty hot and humid with dew points still in the 70s," Moss said.

The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for all of eastern North Carolina from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday, as heat indices could climb above 105 degrees during the early afternoon hours. 

A heat advisory is issued when high humidity levels combine with hot temperatures to make it feel warmer than 105 degrees for more than two hours.

Counties near the Virginia border could see an isolated shower or thunderstorm late in the evening Sunday as a cold front dips south toward the area. 

"Very isolated chance of anything strong this afternoon, but as we go through the night showers and storms are certainly possible," Moss said. 

Monday should see be a break in the hot weather, with highs topping out in the mid-90s before a cold front brings a true cooldown by Tuesday and Wednesday, Moss said. 

Temperatures will dip into the mid-80s on Tuesday and remain cool throughout the week as the front – which could drop several inches of rain across central North Carolina – stalls out over the area until at least Thursday. 

"It's going to be quite the change," Moss said.