Arthur was upgraded to a hurricane early this morning and is forecast to move past the North Carolina Outer Banks tonight. Hurricane watches and warnings, along with tropical storm watches and warnings, remain in effect from New Jersey to South Carolina. In addition to coastal flooding, dangerous rip currents will impact much of the East Coast through this weekend due to Hurricane Arthur.
Meanwhile, in our area, we have a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms today and tonight. It could get a little bumpy around the Piedmont as the storms could turn severe, with frequent lightning and gusty winds. Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 89. Tonight’s low will be around 66.
Expect a code yellow or moderate air quality day today, with pollution and ozone. We have a very high UV index, so be sure to protect yourself and children from the sun, especially if you’ll be on the rides in Faith.
Independence Day and the rest of the weekend still look good. There’s little chance Hurricane Arthur will affect the Piedmont, especially if it takes a predicted turn to the Northeast. Friday should be sunny with a high near 85, so get out and go to the parade in Faith. Friday night will be clear and noticeably cooler, with a low around 59 and a North wind around 6 mph.
Friday will be a code yellow air day for pollution and Saturday will be code yellow for ozone.
Saturday, sunny again, with a high near 84 and a light wind. Clear Saturday night with a low around 61, good sleeping weather. Sunday, more of the same, a high of 85 and a low around 67.
Looking into next week, Monday will be sunny and hot, with a high of 89 and a low around 69. Tuesday night, we’ll have a 30 percent chance of rain, but mostly sunny skies and hot again, with a high near 91. Tuesday night’s low, with a continued chance of rain, will be around 70.
Wednesday doesn’t change much, with a high near 90 and a 30 percent chance of precipitation.