A powerful weather pattern is about to push this region into one of its hottest and most uncomfortable stretches of the year, with forecasters warning that the heat could feel as extreme as 105 degrees by midweek.
A strong dome of high pressure is building over the eastern United States and is expected to settle over the upper Southeast and lower Mid-Atlantic for several days. Meteorologists call this setup a “heat dome,” a pattern that traps hot air near the surface and allows temperatures to climb day after day with little relief.
The heat will build gradually before reaching its peak. On Tuesday, highs are expected to reach the low 90s in lower elevations, with upper areas seeing temperatures in the low to mid 80s. By Thursday, conditions are forecast to intensify significantly, with highs climbing into the mid to upper 90s in lower elevations. Some isolated spots could even touch the 100-degree mark.
What makes this stretch particularly dangerous isn’t just the air temperature, but the humidity riding alongside it. With afternoon dew points expected in the 70s, the air will feel thick and heavy. When combined with the rising temperatures, heat index values, also known as the “feels-like” temperature, are expected to range between 95 and 105 degrees across lower elevations from Tuesday through Friday.
Relief appears to be on the way by the weekend. As the heat dome weakens heading into Friday and Saturday, temperatures should ease slightly, though it will remain hot and humid. The breakdown of high pressure is also expected to open the door for scattered showers and thunderstorms.
For those with Fourth of July plans, there is some good news: a complete washout is not expected. However, isolated to scattered showers and storms remain possible, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours, so outdoor event planners may want a backup option just in case.
