Charlotte started Thursday under cloudy skies and sticky air, but the morning cloud cover is expected to give way to sunshine before the city reaches 96 degrees. A Heat Advisory will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m., with the heat index potentially reaching 106 as dangerous heat settles over Mecklenburg County.
The advisory covers Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Union counties, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures should rise through the 80s late Thursday morning and reach the mid-90s by afternoon, while light northwest winds stay around 0 to 5 mph.
Heat Advisory Runs Through Thursday Evening
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms arrives after 5 p.m., with rain chances around 20% and new rainfall amounts under a tenth of an inch. Most of the day should remain dry, but any storm could bring a brief heavy downpour or strong wind.
Thursday night stays warm and humid, with a low near 76 and heat-index values as high as 103. Storm chances fade after 8 p.m., followed by partly cloudy skies.
Friday Starts A Hotter Stretch
Friday looks mostly sunny with a high near 97, while the heat index could climb to 108. Saturday and Sunday remain near 96, with the better chance for thunderstorms arriving Saturday night; Sunday is currently expected to be mostly sunny.
The heat peaks again Monday, when Charlotte could touch 100 degrees under sunny skies. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase from Monday night through Tuesday, while Wednesday temperatures ease to the mid-90s with another slight chance of afternoon storms.
Limit Afternoon Exposure
Drink water regularly, use air conditioning when possible, and take breaks from outdoor work during the hottest part of the day. The National Weather Service also advises staying out of the sun, checking on relatives and neighbors, and never leaving children or pets in a parked car.
