Oppressive heat returns to the Triangle for July 4 weekend. So does chance for storms

If your July 4th weekend plans involve being outdoors, expect to be wet from sweat and potentially some afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

The kind of heat and humidity that enveloped the Triangle last week returns Thursday and will remain through most of the weekend. High temperatures will approach 100 each day through Saturday, with humidity making it feel several degrees warmer, according to the National Weather Service.

"Obviously this level of heat can affect anyone," Nicholas Petro, a meteorologist with the weather service in Raleigh, said Thursday. "And we know a lot of folks are going to be outside today."

The high reached 101 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport just before 3 p.m. Thursday, a tying a record set in 2012 and 10 degrees above normal.

Nighttime will bring only modest relief, with temperatures dropping to the mid to upper 70s by morning.

Forecasters say rain will be spotty on Thursday and Friday, but urge people to check the radar before heading out to watch fireworks. On July 4th, the best chances for rain will be along and north of Interstate 85, Petro said.

"If you're in Raleigh for the fireworks display, it's really going to be hit or miss," he said. "This shouldn't be a widespread problem."

An approaching cold front will bring more numerous showers and storms Saturday afternoon and evening into Sunday, when the oppressive heat is expected to ease a bit.