Sunny skies Tuesday with building heat

 The hottest stretch of the summer so far is about to settle into the Carolinas, and it’s going to stick around through the holiday weekend

Tonight will stay warm and muggy with a mix of clouds across the region. A few stray showers and thunderstorms are still possible through the evening before activity calms down after sunset. Most areas will stay dry, but any storm that develops could produce a brief heavy downpour, gusty winds, and lightning. Overnight temperatures will only fall into the low to mid 70s, so don’t expect much relief from the humidity.

Beginning Wednesday and lasting through the Fourth of July weekend, dangerous heat becomes the main weather story. Afternoon temperatures are expected to soar between 98 and 102 degrees, while heat index values could climb as high as 105 to 108 degrees. If you’ll be spending time outdoors, whether you’re working in the yard, heading to the lake, or celebrating the holiday, be sure to stay hydrated, wear lightweight, light-colored clothing, and take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning. It’s also a good reminder to check on neighbors and loved ones who may be more vulnerable to the heat, and never leave children or pets inside a parked vehicle. By midweek this is really when the heat related illness could start to kick in.

Our next better chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms doesn’t arrive until Sunday, and that should help trim temperatures back into the low to mid 90s early next week.