Dangerous heat is expected in the Triangle this weekend. Latest forecast
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Heat indices in the Triangle could reach 111 degrees on Sunday, July 27.
- National Weather Service warns of possible heat advisories and excessive heat alerts.
- Hydrate and stay in the shade to help avoid heat-related illness.
Extreme heat is forecast for the Triangle this weekend, with humidity bringing triple-digit heat indices.
Temperatures in the area are expected to be in the high 90s Friday, July 25, and they’ll ramp up from there, according to Nick Luchetti, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Raleigh.
Residents are encouraged to watch for heat-related illnesses including heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Here’s how how it will be in the Triangle this weekend.
Heat indices could reach 111 in the Triangle
Friday is expected to be the coolest day of the weekend, with high temperatures around 97 degrees and heat indices around 104.
On Saturday, July 26, the actual temperature will be around 99, though areas south of the Triangle including Fayetteville could see actual temperatures above 100. That puts the maximum heat indices around 107 in the Triangle.
Sunday, July 27 will feel even hotter as humidity increases, with maximum heat indices around 111.
Early next week, the NWS is forecasting high temperatures in the high 90s with maximum heat indices around 106.
With these high temperatures and heat indices, heat advisories or excessive heat watches and warnings are possible. The National Weather Service issues heat advisories when heat index values of 105 degrees to 109 degrees are expected to last at least two hours. Excessive heat watches or warnings come when heat index values reach at least 110 degrees for any amount of time.
Don’t expect much relief from the heat, Luchetti said, because overnight temperatures are expected to hover around 80 degrees, and there is little chance of thunderstorm activity.
High heat unusual for this time of year
The National Weather Service’s experimental HeatRisk shows a “major” or “extreme” risk of heat-related impacts for parts of the Triangle and much of North Carolina over the weekend.
- Major risk: affects anyone without cooling or hydration, health systems and industries
- Extreme risk: affects anyone without cooling and hydration, health systems, industries and infrastructure
HeatRisk considers several factors including how unusually above normal temperatures are in a given area.
How to avoid heat-related illnesses
Newborns, pregnant people, children, elderly people, individuals with chronic illness, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, emergency responders, incarcerated people and athletes are among groups who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of extreme heat, according to the National Integrated Heat Health Information System.
Some tips for avoiding heat-related illnesses include:
- Using air conditioning
- Staying in the shade
- Wearing loose, light-colored clothing
- Drinking water
- Never leaving any person or pet alone in a closed car
Cooling stations near me
Find locations in:
- Raleigh and Wake County at raleighnc.gov
- Durham and Durham County at durhamnc.gov
- Chapel Hill and Orange County at orangecountync.gov
This story was originally published July 24, 2025 at 12:59 PM with the headline "Dangerous heat is expected in the Triangle this weekend. Latest forecast."
