Residents across central North Carolina are buckling under yet another scorching day, with the National Weather Service’s Raleigh office issuing an advisory for a swath of the state in effect until this evening. According to the Heat Advisory by the NWS Raleigh, “Heat index values up to 108 expected,” presenting a high risk for heat illnesses, especially for those who are spending considerable time outdoors or do not have access to air conditioning.
Today’s advisory, running from noon till 8 PM EDT, impacts counties including Wake, Johnston, and Harnett, among others, and urges citizens to take precautionary measures such as drinking plenty of fluids and staying out of the sun. The urgency is compounded by the NWS forecast predicting “a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm,” with humidity levels at 88% and a potential peak heat index of 107 degrees Fahrenheit, which almost feels like a harbinger of a sweltering crescendo awaiting the Tar Heel State.
The NWS Hazardous Weather Outlook is also attentive to the potential for thunderstorms across the region with “locally heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may produce isolated flooding, especially in urban and poor drainage areas Friday.” The mixture of oppressive heat and looming thunderstorms fabricates a tapestry of weather hazards that could disrupt everyday life—encouraging residents to stay vigilant and weather-aware through the weekend…