Monday is starting muggy in Raleigh, with temperatures around 74 degrees and humidity near 94% before the heat ramps up. Skies will turn partly sunny, but the bigger story is a week of mid- and upper-90s temperatures, with scattered thunderstorms occasionally breaking up the heat.
Monday Brings Afternoon Storm Chances
Raleigh is expected to reach about 95 degrees Monday under partly sunny skies, with southwest winds between 3 and 8 mph. According to the National Weather Service Raleigh, there is a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m., with isolated downpours and gusty winds possible.
Storm chances should fade after 7 p.m., leaving a mostly clear night with a low near 73 degrees. Even without widespread rain, the combination of heat and humidity will make the afternoon feel more oppressive than the thermometer suggests.
Tuesday And Wednesday Bring Peak Heat
Tuesday and Wednesday will push temperatures close to 97 degrees, with sunny or mostly sunny conditions dominating much of the time. Tuesday’s heat index could reach 103 degrees, while a slight chance of thunderstorms appears during the afternoon and again Tuesday night.
The broader outlook also warns that storm clusters could affect parts of central North Carolina Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing the possibility of a few strong wind gusts. No watches or warnings are in effect for Raleigh as of Monday morning, but outdoor plans may need a quick weather check later in the day.
Weekend Temperatures Finally Ease
Thursday stays hot near 97 degrees, followed by a high around 96 Friday and a 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Friday night carries a higher 50% rain chance, with mostly cloudy skies and a low near 74.
Saturday offers the first noticeable break, with a high near 89 degrees and a chance of afternoon storms. Sunday climbs back to about 92 degrees, with mostly sunny skies and only a slight chance of a late-day shower or thunderstorm.
Plan Around The Afternoon Heat
The safest window for strenuous outdoor activity will be early in the day, before temperatures and heat index values peak. Raleigh residents should drink water regularly, take breaks in air conditioning or shade, and avoid leaving children or pets in parked vehicles.
