First Alert Forecast: a heat wave as summer begins - WECT TV6-WECT.com:News, weather & sports Wilmington, NC

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - A strengthening high pressure system will bring a heat wave to the area. Please stay well-hydrated!  Heat index values could top 100 in many locations in the coming days. 

TONIGHT: Mostly clear and seasonably humid with lows mostly in the low 70's.  Patchy fog is possible in favorable areas late. 

WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY: Mostly sunny and hot both days.  Highs will reach the low to mid 90's, except at the beaches.  Afternoon heat index values will be near or even above 100.  Muggy lows in the low to mid 70's are expected.  Rain chances are slim at around 10%.  However the few storms that can develop could be locally heavy.  A high pressure ridge will cap the atmosphere and prevent many storms from developing. 

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: As the high pressure ridge breaks down, isolated showers and thunderstorms will have a better shot at developing during the afternoon and evening.  Rain chance is around 30%.  Otherwise it will continue to be hot and humid with highs mostly in the mid and possibly upper 90's well inland.  Heat index values will top 100.  Lows will be in the mid 70's.

SUNDAY AND NEXT WEEK: A front stalls to our north so we'll see even better chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms, with heavy downpours.  Rain chance is 40%.  Still when it is not rain we'll be in the grips of a very humid and tropical airmass.  Highs will be in the low 90's and lows will be in the low 70's.   

TROPICS: New tropical storm development is unlikely in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, or Atlantic Ocean over the next few days.

STORMFEST 2014 is this Saturday June 21 at the Cape Fear Museum form 10 AM-4 PM. This is a great event that will get you prepared for hurricane season.  Meet the First Alert Weather Team and enjoy a lot of the special things we have planned for the WECT/Fox Wilmington booth.  Try your hand as a TV Meteorologist with our green screen, our First Alert Weather Network Reporters will be programming weather radios, pick up a copy of our 2014 hurricane survival guide, Color the Sky for young kids, plus an interactive weather display surprise! 

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