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Record heat, a climate reckoning: How will humans respond?
In the face of deadly heat, will mankind respond to climate change in time?
The heat wave that affected North Carolina and other states this week is finally beginning to wane.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued warnings on extreme heat to all of Central NC on June 23, stating that temperatures could break records. This intense, hazardous heat continued throughout the week, though Western NC did not receive an advisory, temperatures reached the low 90s in what is generally a cooler region of the state.
Now, storms that are likely to linger for days and become severe in some areas are rolling through WNC, while the heat is waning. Here’s what we know about heat records, remaining high temperatures, and more as we head into the weekend.
What defines a heat wave?
The NOAA defines a heat wave as a “period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days,” with or without high humidity and with the potential to cover a large area, potentially causing danger for large numbers of people.
Were records broken during the heat wave?
The primary record broken in NC during the week’s heat wave was in Raleigh on June 24. Previously, the date’s record high was 99 degrees in 2010, beaten by a temperature of 100 in 2025.
Additionally, Raleigh set another record on June 23, reaching 2024’s record of 100 degrees for the second consecutive year, and Cape Hatteras met another record for the date, reaching 90 degrees for the first time since 2018. On June 24, Lumberton reached its highest temperature since the record 100-degree mark was set in 2015.
Is the heat wave over? When will the heat wave end?
As of Friday, June 27, heat classified by the National Weather Service as “extreme” had moved entirely out of NC, though “major” heat remains in some areas through the weekend. Heat warnings issued by the agency have ended for central NC.
North Carolina heat map
Asheville, NC weekend weather
The NWS weekend forecast for the Asheville area as of Friday, June 27, at around 11 a.m. was:
Friday, June 27 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 89 degrees. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely, mainly before 7 p.m. Patchy fog is expected after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday, June 28 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Areas of fog before 8 a.m. High near 85 degrees. Calm wind becoming northwest 5-7 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Overnight, showers and thunderstorms likely before 11 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 11 p.m.-4 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday, June 29 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85 degrees. Northwest wind 3-6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 2 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
Hendersonville, NC weekend weather
The NWS weekend forecast for the Hendersonville area as of Friday, June 27, at around 11 a.m. was:
Friday, June 27 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 2-4 p.m. Sunny, with a high near 88 degrees. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Overnight, a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 10 p.m. Patchy fog after 2 a.m. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 65 degrees. Calm wind. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday, June 28 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. High near 85 degrees. Calm wind becoming northwest around five mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Overnight, showers and thunderstorms likely before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday, June 29 – Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 85 degrees. Northwest wind around five mph, becoming calm in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
Overnight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 2 a.m., followed by a slight chance of showers between 2 and 5 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 60%.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
