Temps heat up on Friday before more rain falls

Temperatures are expected to reach 97 degrees on Friday before afternoon and evening thunderstorms roll in.

The expected hot weather will be the 16th straight day of temperatures at 90-plus.

Friday's heat comes after storms rolled through central North Carolina Thursday evening. A fire inside the attic of a Durham home on Thursday was blamed on a lightning strike, officials said.

But there is slight relief on the way.

"We're going to have to wait for a cold front to come in Saturday night to clear all this out," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

Rain is expected throughout the weekend, but with temperatures in the upper 80s.