Charlotte woke up clear and already sticky Friday morning, with temperatures near 77°F at Charlotte Douglas International Airport and humidity sitting around 88 to 89 percent. A light northwest breeze is barely taking the edge off, and the heat is set to ramp up fast through the afternoon.
Afternoon Heat And Storm Chances
Count on highs in the upper 90s, around 99°F, with heat index values climbing into the low 100s, as high as about 104°F. In other words, plan on very hot conditions during peak afternoon hours. There is only a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m., and most spots are expected to stay dry, with any rainfall generally under a tenth of an inch, according to the National Weather Service.
Air Quality Alert For Ozone
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ground-level ozone for Mecklenburg and Gaston counties from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ozone concentrations may approach or exceed levels that can affect people with asthma, other respiratory issues, older adults, and active children. Those groups should limit prolonged outdoor exertion during the heart of the day. The advisory is posted by the state air-quality forecasters at the NC Division of Air Quality.
Tips For Today
The most tolerable part of the day will be the morning. By mid-afternoon, it will feel downright oppressive. If you have outdoor plans, try to move strenuous activity to early morning or later in the evening, drink plenty of water, and stick to shade or air-conditioned spaces when the heat peaks. Take a moment to check in on older neighbors, people with health conditions, and children who may be more vulnerable to both heat and poor air quality.
More Reading
We have been tracking this stretch of heat and poor air quality this week. For more context, see our earlier coverage of the heat wave roasting Charlotte. We will update this post if warnings or advisories change through the day.
