With heat waves, the risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities is often greatest near the end of the event or shortly after it ends, driven by cumulative stress on the body and broader societal impacts.
For the holiday weekend, attention shifts to rain and thunderstorm chances. Pop-up or scattered showers and thunderstorms may begin as early as Friday night into early Saturday morning, and there is also a possibility of a downpour or thunderstorm during the afternoon and evening of July 4. At this time, significant or long-lasting impacts are not anticipated, but stronger storms could develop and bring hail and strong winds.
Plans for Independence Day don’t have to be changed yet, but readers are urged to monitor forecast updates.