Severe weather possible Tuesday night, temperatures stay oppressive

By Elizabeth Gardner, WRAL meteorologist

Raleigh, N.C. — Tuesday will be another hot, muggy day, and a chance for severe weather is likely starting in the evening hours, according to WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner.

Much of the viewing area, including the Triangle northward, is under a level 1 risk for severe weather. The best chance for storms will be north and west of the Triangle late in the evening and after dark, according to Gardner.

There is a 20 percent chance for precipitation Tuesday afternoon, but that chance bumps to 30 percent in the evening hours.

Damaging winds and rain are possible, particularly west of Raleigh in Mecklenburg County and near the Virginia line.

Fayetteville and areas south of the Triangle should not see severe weather.

Tuesday will be very hot leading up to the storms. Highs will hover around 90 degrees in Raleigh, but a heat index around 99 degrees will make it feel much warmer. The air will feel heavy and thick, and it will be very humid.

Relief from the storms and heat won’t come anytime soon, according to Gardner.

“We’re looking at dew points in the 70s for the rest of the week, so it will feel oppressive” Gardner said.

Wednesday and Thursday could also see afternoon and evening storms and, with highs in the mid 90s, Thursday is expected to be the hottest day of the week.

Friday, the first day of summer, will be the first chance at a clear day this week, with sunny skies and a high in the upper 80s.

Heat and the chance for scattered storms will last throughout the weekend and into next week, said Gardner.