Dangerous heat wave starts midweek

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- First Alert-Dangerous Heat Wave This Week: An intense heat wave will begin on Wednesday and continue through the Fourth of July weekend. Highs will be around 100 degrees, with feels-like temps as high as 110 degrees. Storm chances increase starting Sunday.

Very warm temperatures are expected this evening. Overnight lows will fall to near 70 degrees with a mainly clear sky.

Wednesday will mark the start of our heat wave, with temperatures climbing to around 96 degrees at RDU. We likely won't see any heat alerts take effect until Thursday.

Highs are expected to reach or exceed 100 degrees from Thursday through Saturday. Dew points will be in the mid-60s, leading to feels-like temps of 105-110 each afternoon. The combination of intense sunshine and prolonged heat will create dangerous conditions for anyone spending extended periods outdoors. Daily record high temperatures may also be challenged or even broken.

There will be little overnight relief, with temperatures only falling into the mid-70s throughout the heat wave.

By Saturday, the ridge will begin to flatten, although temperatures are still expected to approach 100 degrees through Sunday.

As the ridge weakens, a disturbance will be able to move across the region, reintroducing the risk for daily afternoon thunderstorms into early next week. Increasing southwesterly flow will also bring higher humidity levels back into the area.

As the ridge breaks down, temperatures will also gradually drop from their late-week peak.

Have a great night!
Cruz Medina