Triple-digit heat wave starts today. The Triangle has ‘major’ heat risk
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Forecast highs include 99, 101 and 98 degrees this week.
- Heat advisory is in effect 8 a.m.–11 p.m. Thursday; heat index may reach 105.
- Wake County does not anticipate opening cooling shelters for this heat wave.
The forecasted highs will hit triple digits this week during the start of an early summer heat wave expected to continue through the weekend.
Temperatures could reach 99 degrees on Thursday, June 11, and climb higher to 101 degrees Friday, and back down 98 degrees on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
Thursday also marks the start of three days that have a “major” heat risk, a level three out of four risk, said National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Swiggett.
A heat advisory is in effect from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday. The heat index, how the temperature feels combined with humidity, is expected to reach 105 degrees in part of the Triangle.
“Most people are starting to get acclimated to this warmer weather, but this will be the first time where we’re starting to get close to some dangerous heat,” Swiggett said. “So take extra precautions, have sufficient amounts of water if you’re out and about, bring some shade with you.”
The difference between 99 degrees and 101 degrees is minimal, he said, and most people will need to take precautions.
Is this record-breaking heat?
The earliest the Triangle area reached 100 degrees was on June 3, 1895. If the Triangle hits 100 degrees today it would be the tied for the 5th earliest 100 degree high on record, according to meteorologist James Danco.
The most recent time it reached 100 degrees this early was June 7, 2008.
Will cooling shelters open?
Wake County doesn’t anticipate opening cooling shelters for this heat wave, said Victoria Gonzalez, public safety communications consultant.
The threshold for the cooling station is:
- There are three consecutive days with a heat index of more than 100 degrees.
- Two consecutive days with the heat index of 105-109.
- Heat index of 110 or greater for any period.
“Heat-related illnesses can sneak up on you very quickly,” he said. “And it is one of the leading causes of fatalities across the country, as far as weather goes, so we always want to try and take it seriously.”
People working in extreme heat or in areas without access to air conditioning are most at-risk, and heat-related illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes, among others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 9:34 AM.
