The Heat Dome Cometh: Three Days of 100-Degree Temps on the Horizon

This evening, the quiet weather we’ve been enjoying is officially on its way out as a massive heat dome positions itself over the region. Local meteorologists are warning that we are on the doorstep of a historic weather event: a major heat wave that could be the most significant in both intensity and duration that this area has seen since July 2012.

If you have outdoor plans heading into the holiday weekend, you'll want to pay close attention to the shifting forecast. Here is exactly what is heading our way over the next few days.

The Timeline: When the Heat Hits

Wednesday: The Warm-Up

The heat wave kicks off tomorrow as a strong ridge of high pressure firms its grip on the area.

• Temperatures: Expect actual highs to climb into the upper 90s across the northwestern parts of the region, while the southeastern areas stay a bit lower in the upper 80s.

• The "Feels Like" Factor: High humidity will push heat indices up to 105–106°F across the Piedmont, and into the lower 100s along the I-95 corridor.
• Alerts: Because of this, Heat Advisories have been expanded for Wednesday to cover a large portion of the Piedmont.

Thursday through Saturday: Peak Intensity

This is the core of the heat wave. The atmospheric ridge will peak in strength, and many areas are expected to see actual thermometer readings hit or exceed 100°F, particularly on Friday and Saturday.

Record-Breaking Potential: If these numbers are realized, we could potentially break daily record highs for three consecutive days (Thursday through Saturday).

While inland areas might see the air dry out slightly during the peak afternoon heat (which puts a slight cap on the absolute worst-case humidity scenarios), it will still be dangerously hot. Widespread heat indices are likely to hit 105 to 110°F+.

Because of the extreme nature of this stretch—and the fact that more people will be outside celebrating the holiday weekend—Extreme Heat Watches have been expanded for Thursday and Friday to cover the majority of our local area.

Will We Get Any Rain?

If you are looking for a cooling thunderstorm to break the heat, you'll have to wait a while. Rain chances are practically non-existent through Friday.

We might see a few isolated, pop-up showers or storms late Saturday afternoon into the evening as the heat ridge slowly begins to weaken. Sunday brings a slightly better chance (35–50%) for scattered showers and storms, though that introduces some uncertainty into Sunday's temperature forecast.

Looking Ahead: The Relief

There is light at the end of the tunnel. By early next week, the intense heat dome is projected to break down and shift into the central United States. This will put our region into a more unsettled pattern with regular chances for rain, but it also means temperatures will finally trend back down toward normal for this time of year.

The Bottom Line: Take this heat seriously. Drink plenty of water, check on neighbors, look out for your pets, and try to schedule any heavy outdoor activity for the early morning hours before the sun turns the region into an oven. Stay safe out there!