The heat index topped 110 degrees Wednesday in what was forecast to be the hottest day of a hot week.
Temperatures reached the upper 90s in Raleigh, Fayetteville and points in between, but no town saw a reading over 100. Sunny skies combined with high relative humidity made it feel as much as 10 degrees hotter.
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The mercury topped 90 degrees for the 61st day this year. The record for 90-degree days, 83, was set in the summer of 2007, but so far 2010 has been more than a match for that torrid season.
Heat advisories were in effect for more than 70 counties statewide through the evening hours.
There is a slight chance for thunderstorms to develop, but those will be few and far between, WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.