Hottest temperatures of the summer ahead

"We haven't seen anything like this this summer. It is a couple of nasty days," WRAL Chief Meteorologist Greg Fishel said.

Tuesday should reach a high of 101 degrees, but the temperature combined with humidity will make it feel like 105-110 degrees.

A heat advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday for more than 30 counties, including Wake, Chatham, Durham and Orange.

Wednesday's high is expected to reach 100 degrees, followed by cooler temperatures as the week goes on.

Jim Micheels, owner of Raleigh Running Outfitters, said runners should try going early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the peak temperatures.

"In heat like this, the gains you get from running just get canceled out. It's not worth it. Humidity gets you just as much as the heat does," said Micheels, who has been running for more than 30 years.

Extreme temperatures didn't deter the Nog Running Club, which meets weekly at the Tir Na Nog Irish bar on Blount Street in Raleigh, from sweating through their workouts Monday evening.

"Everybody is suffering together," said runner Dileep Dadlani.

In anticipation of the heat, WRAL's Dr. Allen Mask suggests that people drink plenty of fluids. Runner Gary Frank is following that advice.

"Get some water beforehand, bring some water with you and stay cool," Frank said.

Mask said there are other ways to beat the heat.

"You want to try to prepare as much as you can," Mask said. "That means wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses to protect eyes, loose fitting clothing preferably (in) white or light colors."

Mask is especially concerned about those people older than 65 and younger than 4 because they have more difficulty regulating body temperature. Mask said that certain medications like beta-blockers, diuretics, antihistamines, tranquilizers and anti-psychotics also impair the body's ability to regulate body temperature.

Mask said he is already seeing cases of heat exhaustion. Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, weakness, fatigue and muscle cramps. Heat stroke occurs when body temperature reaches 104 degree or above. 

"The body does the best it can to regulate body temperature, sweating as a means to bring core body temperature down," Mask said. "At times, you just need to call a time out (and) take a break."

A number of Triangle counties are under a Code Orange air-quality alert for Monday. Visibility was compromised by two factors – smoke from the ongoing wildfires in the state and a deck of low clouds that moved in early Monday morning.

A Code Orange means the air is unsafe for sensitive groups, such as the elderly, small children and those with asthma or other chronic breathing problems. The general public is mostly unaffected.