An early-summer heat wave is producing some of the hottest temperatures of the year so far across the Carolinas, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and prompting the issuance of heat alerts.
A stout upper-level ridge of high pressure is expected to continue dominating conditions across the Southeast through at least the first half of the weekend.
The weather pattern will allow temperatures to climb well into the 90s across much of the Carolinas, while humidity levels push heat index values into the triple digits…