FIRST ALERT: Out with a bang - big heat and big storms today

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) - The heat goes out with a bang as storm chances increase late today and this evening.

FRIDAY

After a brief break from the scorching heat Thursday, it comes roaring back for today. A HEAT ADVISORY is in effect through the evening. Temperatures will climb into the lower to middle 90s at the beach and upper 90s to near 100 inland. When combined with the high humidity, the heat index will reach as high as 104 to 108 this afternoon.

As the heat and humidity start to peak this afternoon, a cold front will start to approach the region. This front will help to ignite thunderstorms that develop this afternoon across the western Carolinas and then push eastward through the evening.

With so much heat and humidity in place, strong to severe storms are possible and the entire area has been placed under a LEVEL 2 storm threat for today. The primary risk from any severe storms will be very strong winds and dangerous lightning. A few of the strongest storms could also produce hail.

The storms will wind down this evening as the cold front pushes off shore.

THIS WEEKEND

This cold front will usher in a BIG drop in humidity for the weekend! Mainly sunny skies will prevail both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will be the hotter of the two as temperatures approach 90° but lowering humidity will prevent much of a heat index.

Sunday turns even cooler and drier as very low humidity moves in. Afternoon temperatures will reach the middle 80s at the beach and upper 80s inland.

MORE HEAT NEXT WEEK

Another heat wave will build across the southern US into next week. Temperatures will again soar into the 90s to around with 100 with record breaking heat possible by the middle of the week. The increasing humidity will push the heat index to or over 105 through much of the week.

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