A break in the heat today!

CHARLOTTE, N.C. —

Latest Drought Update

Every Thursday, the U.S. drought monitor is updated, and the Carolinas are officially under a flash drought. Right now, 99% of North Carolina and 100% of South Carolina is under drier-than-normal conditions, or worse.

RELATED: What is a flash drought, and why is it happening in the Carolinas?

Storms continue to impact the Charlotte area all while bringing some much needed rain. Expect heavy rain, lightning, and gusty winds, but conditions will improve by 11 p.m. Stay weather aware for damaging wind gusts and localized flooding.

Temperatures are cooling dramatically tonight behind the clouds and heavy showers. 

RELATED: These are the most reliable ways to receive severe weather alerts

Relief is just around the corner from the high heat and humidity. The risk for a heat illness will drop for  both Monday and Tuesday. Expect temperatures to top out in the 80s both days. Highs will return to near 90 on Wednesday. 

Thursday (Independence Day), Friday and Saturday will likely be days to stay weather aware again with highs in the upper 90s and heat indices above 105 degrees!

Here are some heat safety reminders to help reduce any heat-related illnesses.

• Limit time outside
• Stay hydrated
• Seek shade
• Check on the elderly and pets

RELATED: Understanding the stages of hurricane development

• Beryl is a now a major hurricane at category 4 strength. It will moving west towards the Windward Islands with impacts the early Monday before crossing into the Caribbean. The first hurricane of the season, Beryl, is expected to maintain most of it’s intensity as it approaches the Gulf of Mexico later this week. 
• One wave is in the Bay of Campeche (southern Gulf of Mexico) today and has a medium chance of development. It has a medium chance of become a tropical depression or storm over the next few days.
• The third wave (farthest away) just emerged off the African coast a few days ago and has a high chance of development as it moves westward.

WCNC Charlotte’s Weather IQ YouTube channel gives detailed explainers from the WCNC Charlotte meteorologists to help you learn and understand weather, climate and science. Watch previous stories where you can raise your Weather IQ in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.

Stay connected to the WCNC Charlotte Weather Team:

Contact Brad Panovich at bpanovich@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram. 

Contact Larry Sprinkle at lsprinkle@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram. 

Contact Chris Mulcahy at cmulcahy@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Contact KJ Jacobs at kjacobs3@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.