Wake County under Severe Thunderstorm Warning, risk for severe weather throughout the day

By WRAL Severe Weather Center

Raleigh, N.C. — Fewer counties are included in a heat advisory Thursday, but the chance for severe weather and thunderstorms is greater.

Wake, Cumberland, Edgecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Sampson, Warren, Wayne and Wilson counties are under a heat advisory from noon until 9 p.m., which means a heat index ranging from 105 to 109 degrees at its peak. In Raleigh, temperatures will top off in the mid 90s.

WRAL meteorologist Zach Maloch said it will feel hotter than that but it won’t be as uncomfortable as it was earlier in the week.

“It will be noticeably not as hot,” Maloch said.

Wednesday marked the 13th day in a row highs have reached the 90s in the Triangle, and WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said there have only been a few 80-degree days this month.

There is another level 1 risk for severe weather in place, but storms will be more likely today than they were previous days, Maloch said. Damaging wind gusts will be possible. The storms could be scattered across the viewing area. They will move in after 3 and 4 p.m. and will linger until 9 or 10 p.m.

There is also a level 1 risk for severe storms on Friday. The threat could go up more, according to Gardner, because of a cold-front coming through.

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Looking ahead, Friday begins to feel milder, with a high in the upper 80s to low 90s expected. The stretch of heat advisories should end for Friday and the weekend, which will stay hot and summer-like but noticeably milder. A chance for storms remains all weekend.

Tracking the tropics

After a quiet week, the tropics are also heating up.

Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed Wednesday. It continues to strengthen and could become the first hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season on Thursday. Currently, it is well east of the Leeward and Windward Islands, but it will pass near St. Lucia Saturday while passing near Aruba Sunday.

Tropical Depression No. 8 is in the central Gulf of Mexico and headed towards Texas. Some minor strengthening can occur with the depression, which may develop into Tropical Storm Hanna over the next day or so. It will impact the Texas coast Saturday.

Heat safety

As the heat and humidity builds day by day, the impact on the body increases, as does the risk for heat-related illness.

This week will be above normal for this time of the year in central North Carolina. When the heat index – or what the heat plus humidity really make it feel like – rises above 105 as it is expected to this week, sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are likely, and heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity.

Here are some general heat safety tips:

• Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activity.
• Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing that reflects heat.
• Put less fuel on your inner fires. Foods, including proteins, that increase metabolic heat production also increase water loss.
• Drink plenty of water or non-alcoholic fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty.
• Spend more time in air-conditioned places.
• Don’t get too much sun.