Charlotte braces for potential record Fourth of July heat
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Graphic: WBTV
Charlotte is bracing for a major heat wave this Fourth of July weekend.
Why it matters: The 100-degree days coming our way would set new records for July 3 and 4 in Charlotte. Triple-digit temperatures in Charlotte aren't as common as you might think, according to our news partners at WBTV.
Context: The heat is from a strong ridge of high pressure, WBTV meteorologist Rachel Coulter tells Axios.
- "You may have even heard the term 'heat dome' floating around," Coulter says. "By the National Weather Service's definition, a heat wave is 'a period of abnormally and uncomfortably hot and unusually humid weather. Typically, a heat wave lasts two or more days.'"
- "A heat dome is when high pressure aloft traps warm air at the surface thanks to sinking air," Coulter says. "It can also prohibit shower and thunderstorm development in most cases."
What to expect: For Charlotte, that means temperatures in the high 90s on Wednesday and Thursday, and 100 degrees on Friday and Saturday, July 4. (The previous record highs for July 3 and July 4 were 99 degrees.) Sunday will wrap up the weekend in the high 90s.
- Humidity will also be a factor.
- "Though an isolated storm can't be ruled out on July 4th, many will end up staying dry," Coulter says.
Between the lines: Be mindful of changes in surface temperatures, including asphalt.
- "Be careful walking your dog and walking barefoot on surfaces," Coulter says. "Definitely a good time to utilize the mornings and evenings for those longer walks."
Zoom in: Mecklenburg County, the City of Charlotte, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office and homeless service providers plan to provide additional resources through July 5 due to the extreme heat.
Zoom out: Feels-like temperatures would need to hit 105 degrees for the National Weather Service in the Greenville-Spartanburg region (the closest one to Charlotte) to issue a heat advisory.
- More than 160 million people — roughly half the United States — are under a heat advisory, watch or warning.
The bottom line: Drink plenty of water and take breaks in the air conditioning if you plan to celebrate outdoors this week.
Flashback: Since 1879, Charlotte averages roughly one 100-degree day per year at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
- "Last year's four 100-degree days broke quite the 100-degree day drought over the last decade," Coulter says. "We had only had two in the previous nine years!"