Three days of extremely hot weather are in store for the Hickory region, but rainfall and cooler conditions are expected later in the week.
As a strong high-pressure system builds the heat and cuts off any chance of thunderstorms, temperatures could push to record highs early this week.
The Carolinas heat won't be as bad as in the Midwest and Southwest, where temperatures have been soaring to more than 100 degrees for a week. Though the Hickory area will probably not see 100-degree temperatures, today and Wednesday's highs are expected to approach 97 degrees.
Forecasters expect highs today in the middle 90s.
The forecast calls for relatively low humidity levels today. On Wednesday, a cold front will move into the Carolinas and it could trigger a few thunderstorms, especially in the mountains. But most areas will remain dry, and the hot temperatures, in the upper 90s, will be accompanied by higher humidity.
The cold front is forecast to push through the region Thursday and Friday. That will lower high temperatures to about 90 degrees, with a 30 percent to 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Drier conditions are expected to return by the weekend, but the cooler temperatures will remain, with sunny skies and highs in the upper 80s forecast.
Today: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Wind becoming west around 6 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Calm wind.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a high near 95. Calm wind becoming west around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Wednesday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 88. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Thursday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.
Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.
Saturday: Partly sunny, with a high near 86.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement