Sweltering heat arrives and will stay put for several days

Temperatures hit 93 degrees at Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Thursday, and they will climb into the mid-90s on Friday and over the weekend, well above normal for mid-June.

"Extended heat is our real weather story, and it's going to be that way for the next week or so," Gardner said. "We've seen brief warm-ups in the last few weeks, but we have cooled down quickly and returned to normal. We don't have a cool down in the near future."

Friday's hot weather could be accompanied by a scattered afternoon shower or storm, although rainfall isn't expected to be widespread. Storms that do form could include heavy downpours or gusty winds.

Temperatures will hit 95 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday as drier air builds into the region. By Monday, highs could be in the upper 90s.

"The heat index is going to be a concern for the next several days, so take extra precautions if you are planning to spend extended periods of time outside," Gardner said.