Like it hot? Scorching heat on tap for the Triangle

WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said high temperatures for most of central North Carolina will range in the low- to mid-90s all week, and Monday could be the hottest day of the week.

"If you thought Sunday was hot, get ready for tomorrow," she said. "It's only going to get hotter from here on out."

Campbell said the isolated storms that drenched parts of the region last week will be minimal Monday and it will be mostly dry over the next few days.

The high temperature is expected to top out Monday at 94 degrees, well above the normal high this time of the year of 88, Campbell said.

The low temperature will dip to the low 70s Sunday overnight into Monday. There is a 30 percent chance for precipitation on Monday, Campbell said.

The heat index Monday will range in the triple digits.

At Pullen Park on Sunday, visitors sought ways to stay cool despite the intense heat.

About 20 minutes after the park opened Sunday, the parking lot was packed and several parents said that was not a coincidence.

Local health officials warned that parents should not to wait until their children are outside to start trying to combat the heat because heat exhaustion can happen quickly.

Experts also warned that parents should dress their kids in light-colored clothing and rub on sunscreen.

A tropical system bringing heavy rain to North Carolina's coast shouldn't impact the Triangle.

According to WRAL meteorologist Peta Sheerwood, the high pressure system has a 30 percent chance for development in the next 3-5 days.

While the system is bringing buckets of rain and thunderstorms to the coast, including Cape Hatteras, only remnants of the rain are likely in Raleigh Sunday evening.

Sheerwood said the system will likely move to the northeast Sunday afternoon, where it will encounter warmer waters along the coast, creating the chance for storm development.

Eventually, when the system moves farther out to sea this week, cooler waters will cause it to diminish.

Most of the work week will be just of hot, but temperatures could finally drop into the 80s on Friday.