Cooler & Drier Start to July, Hurricane Beryl Breaks Records

The final day of June is sending off the month on a steamy and stormy note. Highs in the mid-90s have combined with dew points in the 70s to create dangerous heat index values approaching 105º. The oppressive heat and humidity are also providing plenty of fuel for thunderstorms kicked up by an incoming cold front. While a few of these will be on the stronger side, the overall severe threat is low. The aforementioned cold front will bring noticeably cooler and drier conditions for the first two days of July, but don’t expect our newfound relief to last long. Highs will largely end up in the 70s and 80s on Monday and Tuesday, with 50s possible across the Piedmont Tuesday morning.

Any respite from the heat to kick off the new month evaporates by midweek, as highs soar back into the 90s on Wednesday. Expect your Fourth of July Thursday to be hotter than a firecracker as temperatures rage into the mid-to-upper 90s around the Metro and southeastward. The heat continues into the weekend; triple-digit highs are possible for many on Saturday. The drought likely worsens across the Carolinas outside of the lucky few who get a stray afternoon storm this week.

Meanwhile, in the central Tropical Atlantic, Hurricane Beryl has rapidly strengthened into a Category 4, becoming the first June storm to do so on record. Beryl will continue to barrel westward, likely making landfall over the Windward islands by Monday evening. Beryl is forecast to trek across the central Caribbean, possibly making a close approach to Jamaica as it nears the Gulf of Mexico. All Gulf Coast states should monitor Beryl closely over the coming week.

Tonight: Scattered storms becoming stray overnight. Mild and muggy. Low: 75°. Wind: Light.

Monday: Scattered clouds early, then mostly sunny. High: 86°. Wind: NE 5-15. Gusts: 20+

Monday Night: Clear, cool, and comfy. Low: 63°. Wind: NE 5-10.

Tuesday: Beautiful. High: 86°. Wind: NE 5-10.