Dangerous heat Thursday, Scattered storms Friday

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- First Alert: Highs climb back into the 90s today. Record highs will be challenged Thursday, with highs near 100 and feels-like temps of 100 to 105. The best chance of showers and thunderstorms appears to be Juneteenth Friday, drying out late Friday night/early Saturday morning.

Good Wednesday morning! Temperatures today will reach into the mid 90s, and the heat and humidity will continue to build into tomorrow.

Highs Thursday will approach 100, with feels-like temps of 100 to 106. Anyone with outdoor plans tomorrow should make preparations now. Record-challenging warmth is expected, as the daily record at RDU is 98 degrees, set in 2015.

Isolated showers and storms will be possible Thursday evening and night as a cold front approaches the region.

Moisture from the Gulf disturbance, which may become Tropical Storm Arthur later today along the Gulf coast, will make its way into SE United States. This moisture, combined with the cold front will bring scattered showers and storms to Central NC Friday morning through afternoon, tapering into the evening hours. Locally heavy rain will be possible, along with isolated gusty/severe winds.

High pressure then moves in for the weekend, with a drier air mass arriving behind the front. It will be a nice day for the Canes parade and celebrations on Saturday. Sunday looks to turn warm again as southwesterly flow returns.

The next opportunity for rain arrives early next week as another shortwave trough moves across the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast.

Tropics: PTC One in the Gulf: The system is moving toward the northeast near 6 mph (9 km/h), and an increase in forward speed is expected today. On the forecast track, the low pressure area should move northeastward along the Texas coast today and then move inland over southwestern Louisiana by tonight. Maximum sustained winds are near 30 mph (45 km/h) with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast, and the disturbance could become a tropical storm today (Arthur). Weakening is anticipated once the low moves inland, and it could dissipate by tonight or early Thursday.
* Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...60 percent.
* Formation chance through 7 days...medium...60 percent.

Have a great day!
Kweilyn