Dangerous high temperatures and humidity are heating up the Triangle through at least the middle of the week.
Stay cool, stay safe
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Here are some important things to know to keep you and your loved ones cool:
- Here's how to stay safe as temperatures reach 100 degrees
- From cats to horses, keep animals cool during record heat
- How to cool down your car fast
The latest: Long stretch of heat alerts wraps hottest July on record
Thursday, 1 p.m.: 2025 is officially the hottest July on record, WRAL meteorologist Kat Campbell said. And through July, the Summer of 2025 is the hottest recorded in the Triangle. The summer of 2011 came close – it was the second hottest summer and second hottest July.
Thursday, 11 a.m.: Wake County EMS Shift Commander Greg Guillaume spoke to WRAL News+ anchor Elizabeth Holmes about the importance of cooling shelters, their proximity to vulnerable populations and what can be done to utilize them in more capacities, such as transportation to these centers.
"You have folks, older population that could be in homes that don't have great working air conditioning units that could overheat," Guillaume said. "I definitely see the value in having those cooling stations. I thin kit makes a huge difference, because you can be standing in heat for so long, especially when [at-risk people's] temperatures may not be able to regulate."
Guillaume said that the earlier messaging and communication about the cooling centers are sent out, the better, especially on more platforms that can reach all sorts of demographics who are at risk of overheating.
Thursday, 10 a.m.: Wake County is extending its cooling center stations through the end of Thursday, since the heat index is forecasted to climb past 100 degrees for the fifth straight day.
Wake County Public Libraries have varying closing times, so check online or call your local library for site-specific information.
Regional centers and Health and Human Services centers will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Sites that are not normally open to the public, such as EMS stations, fire stations and county fleet maintenance buildings, will not be available as cooling stations.
Thursday, 7:30 a.m.: One more Heat Advisory has been issued for the area and will end around 8 p.m. The center Triangle is expected to get some rain, hopefully to kickstart that cool front that's to come by the weekend.
Adults older than 65, children younger than 4, people with existing medical conditions and those without access to air conditioning are at the greatest risk on days with high temperatures. Drinking plenty of water and staying out of the sun are critical precautions. People should also check on their neighbors who may be at high risk and ensure they have access to heat relief and hydration.
Tracking Wednesday updates
Wednesday 8:30 p.m.: Our heat advisory has ended, and no new new advisories have been issued. Thursday will see one more day of intense heat before the relief arrives. Highs are forecasted in the mid-90s.
Wednesday 4:30 p.m.: A heat advisory is still in effect for Wednesday until 8 p.m. for most of the area including the Triangle. Meteorologist Kat Campbell said though temperatures Wednesday are not as high as they have been earlier in the week, people should take extra precaution when going out in the heat.
Wednesday 2 p.m.: Raleigh sanitation workers are calling for better work conditions as the sweltering heat continues. So far this summer, city officials said heat has impacted service eight times.
Wednesday 11 a.m.: The West Regional Library in Fayetteville will be closed starting Wednesday through Tuesday, Aug. 5 due to ongoing HVAC repoairs that will significantly impact the building's temperatures and overall comfort for staff and the public. West Regional said they anticipate reopening for normal business hours on Wednesday, Aug. 6, pending completion of HVAC repairs.
Cumberland County said the temporary closure is necessary to allow essential maintenance and ensure a safe, comfortable environment for library patrons and staff.
Wednesday 8:30 a.m.: A CNN affiliate reported that a dog in Georgia suffered first-degree burns after he was left in the back of hot truck bed for hours. Temperature in the back of the truck was reportedly 120 degrees since the outside temperature that day was up in the 90s. The dog's owner was charged with animal cruelty.
A Tennesee high school football player died after he reportedly suffered from heatstroke during practice. His family is demanding answers from the high school, as to why they let the highschooler practice during high temperatures. The family warns other parents to not push their children in practice during such hot weather.
High school students across the Triangle are starting outdoor practices this week during ongoing dangerous heat.
Wednesday 5:30 a.m.: Veterinarians are warning people about the rise of leaving pets in hot cars. Wednesday is the sixth straight day with a heat advisory in our area, and that intense heat can impact your pets.
Low energy, excessive panting and vomiting are all signs that your animal may be experiencing heat stress. If your pet is having a heat stroke, take them to an emergency clinic immediately. Vets encourage bringing water on walks and if possible, protecting their paws with some sort of shoe cover or walk in shaded areas, as hot concrete can cause damage or irritation on their paws.
Tracking Tuesday updates
Tuesday, 8:30 p.m.: The heat advisory for Tuesday has expired but will return for Wednesday.The heat index is expected to peak between 103 and 108 degrees.
Tuesday, 6:00 p.m.: Wake County officials announced in a post on Facebook cooling stations are open through atleast Wednesday, July 30. Officials said to visit the nearest public library or Health and Human Services location if you need some relief from the heat. There is a full list of cooking stations listed on the Wake County web site.
Tuesday, 4:30 p.m.: The heat index climbs up to the triple digits for the 18th time for the month of July. Meteorologists are calling it the hottest recorded summer to date. Wednesday will see another heat advisory. It is one of the many heat advisories meteorologists are watching over the eastern U.S.
Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.: Officials with the Battleship North Carolina Memorial are implementing new safety measures to keep staff and visitors cool. Officials said they are working to install cooling breeze stations, hydration access points and cooling station on the ship.
Tuesday, 2:00 p.m.: City of Raleigh leaders said garbage, recycling and yard waste collections may be delayed due to the high heat index. In a post on Facebook, officials asked residents to keep their carts at the curb until serviced. Officials said warnings and fines would not be issued during this time.
Tuesday 10 a.m.: The Durham County Administration Building will remain closed Tuesday due to HVAC issues. Staff are working remotely to ensure services continue without interruption. The building was also closed Monday due to HVAC issues in their rooms.
Power has been restored for those in Durham, according to the Duke Energy Outage Map. However, downtown Hillsborough has some 70 customers without power, estimating to be restored by 1 p.m.
Tuesday 9:30 a.m.: High school students across the Triangle are starting outdoor practices this week during ongoing dangerous heat.
In response to one of the hottest summers on record for the state, the N.C. High School Athletic Association has protocols in place to protect student athletes from heat illnesses.
Tuesday, 9 a.m.: During a live press conference where Gov. Josh Stein calls upon the General Assembly to pass a budget quickly to address DMV concerns and more, a local mother recalls a recent time where she and her son were in line at the DMV for a road test. They arrived at 5 a.m., stood in line outside until it opened at 8 and finally at 9 a.m., they were told that he would be granted last testing spot. Five hours after that, he was finally able to take his test, but his mother was made to sit in the car and wait for him since there was no seating inside the building for people waiting.
This moment she recalled was during a heatwave, and by 11 a..m., she said she was out of water and overwhlemed by the temperatures. Thankfully, her other son was close by and could get her, but she said that she could still see a line halfway around the building, as people of all ages stood outside. The DMV staff rearranged everyone into a straight line, pushing them from shaded spots into the open sun, where temperatures around that time were up in the 100s. DMV staff told people they had little hope of being seen.
This incident is not unfamiliar to residents in N.C. during this heatwave.
Tuesday, 8 a.m.: Almost 700 Duke Energy customers are without power due to a downed tree on Duke's power lines. Power is out in the downtown corridor between Queen Street and the Eno River and along part of US-70. Drivers are asked to treat intersections without power as a four-way stop. Duke Power estimates restoration at 10:15 a.m.
The Durham County administration building is closed for a second day because the HVAC is not cooling adequately there.
Temperatures by 8 a.m. are slowly approaching 80 degrees, and by 11 a.m., the temperatures are supposed to feel like upper-90s to low 100s.
Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.: Some Duke Energy customers in Benson now have their power back on, but a high number - still close 1,000 - of South River Electric customers are still without power.
Tuesday, 5:30 a.m.: A Garner-based HVAC company, AnyDay Heating and Cooling, said they saw five times more calls over this weekend than usual. The owner Adrian Stephenson said they usually see on average 10 calls per weekend. This weekend saw more than 50, creating a higher demand of workers to come in.
Stephenson said most of the repairs are needed because A/Cs cannot keep up with intense heat. If you're having problems with your A/C, he recommends checking your air filters before calling an HVAC company.
Tuesday, 4:30 a.m.: More than 1,000 people in the Benson area are without power in Johnston County due to damage from overnight storms and lightning. Duke Energy and South River Electric are on the scene working to restore the power. We have yet to know what time the power is supposed to be back on.
Tuesday is another day of a long-week stretch of heat advisories, as the high will reach the upper 90s. Temperatures this morning already started out quite warm, approaching 80 and with feels like in the mid 80s. Depending on how long the outages will occur, these residents will most likely feel that warmth creep into their homes. If you find yourself in this situation, make sure to close blinds and curtains to avoid more sun warmth to come in. Keep refrigerators and freezers closed.
Tracking Monday updates
Monday, 11 p.m.: More intense heat is expected on Tuesday, with a heat index as high as 107 degrees in some areas. Moisture in the air from Monday evenings storms will make it feel much hotter than it is.
Monday, 5 p.m.: July 28th marks the 17th day of the month where the heat index in Raleigh reached 100 degrees.
Monday, 4 p.m.: About 200 customers sweated through Monday afternoon without power in Durham after a tree branch fell on power lines, snapping a pole along Old Chapel Hill Road.
A rally scheduled for downtown Raleigh where people planned to protest a bill that would push back the deadline for Duke Energy to cut carbon emissions was itself pushed because of the heat. The Sierra Club encouraged people to email and phone their lawmakers instead.
Monday, 12 p.m.: The Durham Board of County Commissioners changed the location of their scheduled meeting Monday night because of HVAC issues in the county administration building. Instead, the meeting will be held at the Durham County Human Services Building, located at 414 E. Main St., in Conference Rooms B & C.
Monday, 11 a.m.: Crews worked in heat approaching 100 degrees to close a water main break on Cameron Street in Raleigh.
Monday's extreme heat warning means it will feel like 100 degrees out from 11 a.m. through dusk. The heat index could reach 115 Monday afternoon.
Monday, 5 a.m.: A quiet morning, but we're already in the high 70s with a dew point of 74. There's a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, which makes it feel warmer than it actually is. Most of central and eastern North Carolina will be under an extreme heat warning for Monday starting at 11 a.m.
"Heat impacts are cumulative," WRAL meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner said. "We can't really let our guard down."
Tracking Sunday updates
Sunday 11 p.m.: While it has been blistering outside this weekend, some intense storms moved through the area. While the storms triggered severe thunderstorm warnings, it did little to cool things off, as temperatures were still in the low 80s long after the sun set.
Sunday 6:30 p.m.: Music fans are doing their best to keep cool at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek. There are misting and water bottle refill stations set up to help keep fans cool during the concert, which features performances from Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Turnpike Trubadours.
NC Parks officials also told WRAL News that some swimming areas of Jordan Lake will also be open during the heat wave.
Sunday 3:30 p.m.: It's been a scorcher on Sunday. Many visitors to GalaxyCon at the Raleigh Convention told WRAL News that it felt like the air conditioning was "non-existent" as thousands visited the annual convention. Many are opting for indoor activities during this heatwave gripping central North Carolina. WRAL News reached out to a representative for GalaxyCon, who said they have not heard of any heat-related emergencies at the convention, and they have EMTs available if there is one.
Sunday 12:30 p.m.: A heavy police presence is outside a home in a Knightdale neighborhood. WRAL is on the scene of this active investigation where dozens of law enforcement officials and residents are standing outside the situation. Temperatures are now in the mid-90s and feels like close to 100. The scene has been active since before 9:30 a.m., so officials and other people have been standing outside for awhile.
Sunday 10:30 a.m.: The GalaxyCon Street Fest has just opened and people are flowing in and out as they make their ways into the convention center for GalaxyCon. The temperature right now is 90, but because of the humidity, it feels like 96. It will only get hotter by the afternoon, when the high reaches 95 and feels-like reach 100-110.
The Outlaw Music Festival will be at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park tonight, featuring performances by Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan,Turnpike Troubadours and more. This is an outdoor concert, as tonight will see some of the warmest lows on record this summer, with temperatures reaching 80. You can bring in one empty, refillable water bottle or a factory-sealed plastic water bottle into the venue, where they will have water refill stations.
Sunday 6:30 a.m.: Sunday starts with lows of almost 80 in the morning. The high is supposed to reach 100, but with dew points over 70, the heat index - what the temperature actually feels like on your skin - could be in the 110s.
Today is the last day of GalaxyCon Street Fest, a free, outdoor event that takes place right outside of GalaxyCon. If you plan to attend this event, come say hi to WRAL at our tent and remember to stay cool! Most importantly, stay hydrated as much as you can. There are water stations around the event and tents should provide some relief from the heat.
Tracking Saturday updates
Saturday, 9:00 p.m.: Power has been restored for the nearly 2,000 people near NC Highway 98 after a crash left them without AC and in the dark for hours. Temperatures Saturday night remain warm. Lows will be in the 80s.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m.: The heat sticks around though this eavening and could be a record 'warm' low. Brief showers and storms are possible thorugh early Saturday, but most will remain dry.
Saturday, 4:30 p.m.: Wake Electric crews are still working to restore power after a broken power pole left nearly 2,000 people without power. There is now a level 1 out of 5 risk for isolated severe storms on Sunday for the northern and eastern counties in our area. The storms could bring strong/ damaging wind gusts and are expected to develop by the afternoon and continue into the evening.
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.: The nearly 2,000 people in Falls Lake are still out of power and it is not expected to be restored until 6 p.m., according to Wake Electric.
Parts of N.C. Highway 98 appear to be closed due to crash near Southview Road on the border between Durham and Raleigh counties, according to traffic maps. Maps show this area is in front of the ZincHouse. The one-lane road is not expected to be reopened until 5:30 p.m both ways.
It is unclear if the power outages in Falls Lake and the closed road on NC-98 are related, though both are caused by a downed pole. The downed pole at NC-98 was caused by a car crash.
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.: The National Weather Service has extended the Extreme Heat Warning and Heat Advisory in most of our viewing area until Monday, July 28 by 8 p.m.
Saturday, 11:45 a.m.: Over 1,990 people are without power in the Falls Lake area between Durham and Raleigh due to a broken pole. This area is not serviced by Duke Energy progress. They receive their service through Wake Electric Membership Corporation.
Duke Energy customers in Raleigh are still without power. Duke Energy said that the power outage was caused by down trees damaging their equipment. Crews are on the scene working to restore it.
Saturday 10 a.m.: A little over 100 people are without power in Raleigh, according to a recent update to the Duke Energy outage map. There has not been a cause determined for this outage. Duke Energy crews are on route to fix these outages.
A power outage will immediately cut off any cooling in homes, so if you're experiencing an outage, keep your refrigerators and freezers closed. Dress light. Close blinds to avoid sun coming in. Drink plenty of water. If you are getting too hot and power is not on, find a local cooling station or hang out in an air-conditioned public space.
Saturday 9:50 a.m.: People are continuing to endure hot temperatures as they wait in line for walk-ins at the DMV. The department said that people in line can receive a number to save a spot in line and wait in their air-conditioned cars from Monday-Friday, but that rule doesn't apply during the Saturday hours. Many people in line brought fans in an effort to cool themselves off. Temperature as of this time in Raleigh is approaching 90 degrees.
Saturday 7 a.m.: Extreme heat warnings begin today and will last into tomorrow. The National Weather Service announced that these warnings will likely be extended into upcoming week, as highs are forecasted to stay up in the high 90s to 100.
According to WRAL meteorologist Chris Michaels, for those in athletics and military, you might be familiar with the "wet bulb globe temperature," which is a measure of heat that considers both temperature and humidity. This is important to keep in mind about heat stress for outdoor practices, as a black flag warning is considered during 11a-6p. Practices should be cancelled, especially since there's not much in the forecast to cool us off, as storm chances are low and isolated.
Tracking Friday updates
Friday 9:30 p.m.: An area of high pressure has the atmosphere set up to be so much hotter for the day on Saturday. That area of high pressure is positioning itself over the Carolinas and Georgia causing a slow down flow of the heat.
Friday 6:30 p.m.: We will have some of our warmest nights of the year, and some of the warmest on record, with this heat wave. The hour-by-hour forecast shows it might dip to 79 degrees after midnight.
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Friday, 3:30 p.m.: Some Wake County residents woke to an excessive heat warning issued overnight Friday. The ReadyWake system sends automated alerts from the National Weather Service, and one was issued at 2:04 a.m. in advance of the hot weather expected. Wake leaders recommend that subscribers check their settings to determine what type of alerts they want to get via text, notifications or phone call.
Friday, 2 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for both Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27. The heat index – what it feels like on your skin – could reach 110 degrees each day.
Friday, 1 p.m.: The eastern half of North Carolina is under heat advisories through 8 p.m. Friday. It could feel as warm as 105 into the evening hours. The National Weather Service advises staying indoors in air conditioning. Anyone who has to to be out should take frequent breaks in the shade, consume plenty of water.
Friday, 12:15 p.m.: The summer of 2025 has been warmer than any other on record through July 25, and we are experiencing the third-hottest July on record, with no let up expected before the month ends.
Friday, 10:30 a.m.: An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect starting Saturday morning and will last until Sunday evening. Heat index values are expected to be up to 112. As temperatures continue to soar into dangerous highs, consider spending less time outdoors.
But if you do have to be outside in the intense heat, the National Weather Service advises people to wear lightweight clothing, don’t get too much sun and drink plenty of water.
Friday, 8:30 a.m.: GalaxyCon offers AC relief, family fun
One of Raleigh's biggest events, GalaxyCon, will be taking place this weekend during one of the most intense heat waves of the season. While the event is inside, organizers expect lines can begin wrapping around outside, leaving people in the heat.
Thankfully, for long lines outside, they have set up tents set up with refreshments, water jugs and fans underneath tents where people will wait. Remember! A ticket to the multi-genre popculture convention will get you inside the air conditioned convention center where there are multiple activities.
"It's a great place to escape the heat," Justin Burkhardt, the public relations manager with GalaxyCon, said. "We got table top gaming, we got table top gaming, video games. We have a place to meet celebrities. We've got a kid zone here. We've got air conditioning here."
One fan had the right idea, as he arrived to the convention center almost four hours before the event opens at 10 a.m.
"I know the draw to GalaxyCon is a strong one. If you're not here early, you can be at the very end of the line and it could take hours to get in," said Adrian Fehrer. He is the first in line to get into the convention center.
Raleigh has some other big outdoor events going on, notably Wiz Khalifa at the Coastal Credit Union Music Park on Saturday, July 26. This concert is at an outdoor venue, where the heat index is expected to be up in the 110s. It's extremely important to keep hydrated and as cool as you can during this event. You can bring in one empty, refillable water bottle or a factory-sealed plastic water bottle into the venue, where they will have water refill stations.
Watch for symptoms of heat illness
People outside exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk for experiencing heat related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope, heat cramps and heat rash.
As the heat index rises, watch out for these health problems:
- 130 degrees or higher: Heatstroke and/or sunstroke are highly likely with continued exposure.
- 105-130 degrees: Sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion are likely, and heatstroke is possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity.
- 90-105 degrees: Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity.
- 80-90 degrees: Fatigue is possible with prolonged exposure or physical activity.
Something to keep in mind: As temperatures rise, more snakes are becoming more active near trails and gardens, resulting in a higher incidence of snake bites, and the cost of treatment can be high. These reptiles love the hot weather, as the heat compares to their body temperature so it's important to keep in mind their presence on trails or in yards.
Thursday, 10:30 p.m.: Duke Energy prepares for high demand
On Thursday evening,A resident in a Knightdale neighborhood told WRAL News that they lost power a day before the start of six WRAL Weather Alert Days in a row.
"It's been pretty miserable," said Shane Webb, who lost power in his home. "The temperature keeps going up & we are getting really concerned."
Webb said he and his mother both take medication that makes them less tolerant to the heat.
As of Thursday at 11 p.m., Duke Energy crews restored power to the Knightdale neighborhood that lost power earlier, but expect intense strain on the power grid during this heat weave.
Duke Energy's Jeff Brooks told WRAL News that although the energy company can not see the future, they get ready for every possible weather condition.
"We prepare really months in advance to be ready for these situations throughout the year. That begins with the maintenance on our power Plants to make sure they are in top running condition. They are machines. And they are machines that designed to work in extreme conditions just like the power grid itself," Brooks said.
Thursday, 7 p.m.: Most intense heat of the season begins
Meteorologist Kat Campbell said this heat wave is forecasted to be the most intense of the season with a stretch of at least six days of heat index values above 105 likely.
Friday is a WRAL Weather Alert Day due to a heat advisory. Heat index values are expected to reach 105.
Highs over the next six days are expected to reach 100 degrees and higher.
July has seen 11 WRAL Weather Alert Day's so far due to heavy rain and extreme heat, and more likely to come
A heat advisory has been issued for Friday, prompting a WRAL Weather Alert Day. Campbell said more are likely to come.
An extreme watch is now in effect for Saturday morning through Sunday night. Highs Sunday through Wednesday are forecasted to climb up to 100 degrees, which triggers an automatic WRAL Weather Alert Day.
It's an upcoming week of multiple WRAL Weather Alert Days in a row, as the heat can stay extremely high all the way through Wednesday.