September rolls in hot as heatwave grips Central NC

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- First Alert Day-Dangerous Heat: High heat and humidity will last through Friday. Expect highs in the mid-to-upper 90s with heat indices of 100 to 110 each day. A Heat Advisory is effective Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Good morning! The high temperature peaked at 98 degrees yesterday at RDU! The strong ridge of high pressure will continue to expand eastward and bring a hot and dry start to September, with record-challenging temperatures today through Friday.

Anyone with outdoor plans through Friday should prepare for the heat, with feels-like temps of 100 to 110 degrees in the afternoons. Overnight temperatures will remain in the mid-70s, bringing little relief from the heat, with conditions more akin to the peak of summer.

The heat will persist through Friday as high pressure continues to build overhead. The ridge shifts west by the weekend, which will start to chip at temperatures starting Saturday.

A few storms will be possible late Friday afternoon and Friday night. These storms will be capable of hail and damaging wind. A similar risk could be present Saturday as well, especially depending on the timing of the incoming cold front.

Most activity should be south of the area by Sunday afternoon, which will bring more comfortable conditions to close out the holiday weekend compared to the hot and wet start. The day could start cloudy on Sunday with showers and storms, but by the afternoon, some clearing looks likely, and there will be intermittent sunshine. Sunday will also end up near, or just below, the historical average in terms of temperatures.

By next week, there is a chance that the upper ridge nudges back eastward, which could again feature drier and warmer conditions for the region, although there is still some differences among models as to amplitude and eastern/western extent of this ridge.

Tropics-Tropical Depression Edouard:

Gusty winds and heavy rainfall from TD Edouard continue to gradually spread across southeast Texas. Flood Watches remain in effect from the Upper Texas Coast into portions of eastern Texas. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Continued weakening is expected over the next 24 hours, as Edouard is forecast to dissipate Wednesday night.

WIND: Wind gusts to tropical-storm force may continue near the center of Edouard for the next several hours.

RAINFALL: Total rainfall along Edouard's path is expected to range from 4 to 8 inches, with maximum totals up to 12 inches for parts of the Upper Texas Coast inland through east-central Texas. This rainfall is likely to produce flash flooding, especially in low-lying and urban areas. Significant flash flooding is possible. River flooding may also be possible.
Across Southwest Louisiana, total rainfall from Edouard will range from 2 to 4 inches.