Charlotte likely to see hottest day of the year Friday; heat index may reach 105
High temperatures across the Charlotte area expected this weekend are pushing people inside and outdoor events into the night.
Friday’s forecast of 99 degrees would be the hottest day of 2023, according to the National Weather Service, and Saturday’s forecast of 97 doesn’t trail far behind. Sunday’s forecast of 91 degrees drifts back down toward average high in August, which is 88.6.
“We’ll have to plow through one of the hottest days of the year on Friday,” said NWS meteorologist Justin Lane.
An oppressive 104 degrees in 2007 holds the Charlotte metro area’s record-high temperature for August, according to the NWS.
The anticipated heat already pushed back kickoff times for some of the area’s high school football games. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, among others, have delayed kickoff for Friday night games by up to one hour — from 7 to 8 p.m.
A chance of thunderstorms will loom over the local area on Saturday, Sunday and Monday night.
Humidity could push the heat index to as high as 105 degrees, and a heat advisory might be issued through northeast Georgia, Piedmont North Carolina, western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina, the NWS said.
The agency last issued a heat advisory in the area August 14. Since July 1, Medic has responded to 133 heat-related calls since July 1. In the same time period last year, paramedics responded to 93.
The Piedmont area’s temperature spike comes as excessive heat and humidity continues across much of the central U.S. Heat indices across the country will approach 120 degrees this weekend, and more than 110 million people across 20 states are under heat alerts.
Staying hydrated, avoiding extending periods of time outdoors and looking out for vulnerable family members, friends, and neighbors will be important this weekend, the NWS said.
This story was originally published August 24, 2023 at 3:25 PM.
