COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)- We are tracking a warmer afternoon today. Temperatures are 10-15 degrees warmer than yesterday, with heat index temperatures above 100 degrees.
Tropics: As of 5 PM, Erin remains a tropical storm and is located 800 miles east of the Leeward Islands. The National Hurricane Center expects Erin to be a hurricane by tomorrow morning, and a major hurricane by Sunday afternoon. Erin will begin to turn north by Monday; however, there is still uncertainty if it will pose a threat to the United States.
A second area of interest (Invest 98-L) is being monitored in the Gulf. This system remains disorganized but has a 40% chance of development over the next 48 hours.
Friday: We are tracking a better chance of rain for your Friday afternoon. Any storms that form will bring a chance of heavy rain tomorrow. Feel-like readings will be over 100 degrees again.
Weekend: The heat will continue to build this weekend, with heat index readingsnear 105 degrees by Sunday. Isolated storms will still be in the forecast through the weekend.
Next Week: High pressure will slowly return to the forecast next week, helping to dry us out. A few pop-up showers will be possible, but rain coverage will be limited. Temperatures will rise into the mid-90s…