Triangle sizzles under excessive heat
Triple-digit heat returned to central and eastern North Carolina Thursday when the heat index reached 113 degrees outside WRAL's Raleigh studios.
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The combination of 98-degree temperatures and 50 percent humidity made it feel more than 10 degrees warmer. At Raleigh-Durham International Airport, the temperature was 97 degrees at 6 p.m. and the heat index was 107.
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories for all of eastern North Carolina from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
"Stay inside if you can, and take it easy if you must be outdoors this afternoon," said WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.
So far this year, there have been eight days where the high temperature has reached or exceeded the 100-degree mark. In 1999, the area saw 12 days over 100 degrees.
The mercury did not quite reach 100 degrees Thursday, but another triple-digit day is forecast for Friday.
"If temperatures stay above 90 through the middle of next week, which it looks like they will, we'll also set a record for the number of 90-degree days in the month of July," Gardner pointed out.
After another scorcher on Friday, temperatures will slowly dip back into the 90s over the weekend and into the early part of next week, Gardner said.
"A cold front will drop down from the Great Lakes early next week and cool us off," she said. "It will also bring back those afternoon showers and thunderstorms."
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