Heat wave in North Carolina with high heat indexes and warnings officially ends Thursday

A slow-moving cold front will approach from the north and west Thursday, resulting in scattered rain and storms later in the day/evening. Locally heavy rain and a few gusty storms will be possible.

Highs will be in the low to mid-90s.

The front will linger Friday before passing through the immediate region late Friday into Saturday morning, resulting in showers and thunderstorms. The risk for locally heavy rain and street flooding will be a category higher Friday from the Triangle and south.

Highs will be in the upper 80s with feels-like temps in the low 90s. Lows will dip into the mid/upper 60s.

Spotty showers will be possible early Saturday morning until the front slips south. Highs will be in the upper 70s and low 80s Saturday temperatures can dip into the low 80s by Saturday and Sunday with lows in the mid/upper 60s.

This will be the first time RDU has seen highs in the low 80s since the beginning of July.

The front will remain just offshore the NC coast into early next week, so there's the chance for an occasional shower or two into early next week, especially on Tuesday. Highs will be in the low to mid 80s through early next week.

As Central North Carolina bakes under above average summer temperatures, a NC psychiatrist is warning that the dangers go far beyond dehydration and heat exhaustion. The extreme temperatures can also take a toll on mental health.

"I think most of us are familiar with extreme heat causing physical consequences," Dr. Narissa Price said. "So, heat stroke, heat exhaustion, but there are psychological or mental health consequences as well."

According to Dr. Price, those consequences can show up in subtle but serious ways: mood swings, trouble sleeping and difficulty concentrating. People with existing mental health conditions may be especially vulnerable.

"If you have an underlying mental health condition, like a mood disorder, anxiety disorders or schizophrenia... extreme heat can worsen those, and even, unfortunately, suicidal ideation or thoughts about suicide can increase with extreme heat as well," she said.

While people may stay indoors to escape the heat, isolation can bring its own mental health risks.

"It's important to take a check in with ourselves."

Today marks the final day of the heat wave that has been in place since July 25.

Skies will be partly cloudy today with highs in the mid-90s and feels-like temps as high as 105+.

Spotty storms will be possible, especially south of the Triangle.

Tonight will remain humid with temperatures in the low to mid 70s.

Cooler temperatures are on the way!

Full Forecast Here

A Heat Advisory is effective for Wednesday from 10am until 8pm for feels-like temps of 105 to 109.

The heat wave will officially end Thursday with highs in the low 90s. However, storms potential ramps up as well.

A cold front will approach from the north and west, resulting in scattered rain and storms later in the day/evening. Locally heavy rain and a few gusty storms will be possible.

The front will linger Friday before passing through the immediate region later on Friday and into Saturday morning, resulting in showers and thunderstorms into Friday as well as a noticeable temperature drop. Late in the day on Friday now features the potential for flooding as a result of high rain rates that are expected.

Full Forecast here