We’re wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook. 

Your Weather Planner

The risk for strong to severe thunderstorms continues through this evening. Be prepared for scattered thunderstorms to produce heavy rainfall and frequent lightning and watch for some storms to contain hail and damaging winds.

Most of eastern North Carolina is under a marginal (level one out of five) risk for severe weather with a slight (level two out of five) risk for areas north of New Bern. Storms will taper off around midnight for the Outer Banks.

Our weather should be quiet overnight after the showers and thunderstorms head out to sea. Gradually, skies will become mostly clear with temperatures in the 60s to lower 70s by sunrise.

We'll still be humid on Friday morning with light southwesterly winds.

Temperatures will only peak in the middle to upper 80s Friday afternoon, slightly cooler than the highs in the lower to middle 90s we have been seeing recently.

Under mostly clear to partly cloudy skies, we'll be mostly dry in the morning but a stray shower or isolated thunderstorm is possible during the afternoon. Any storms will taper off early Friday evening.

Get the full forecast for areas across the state: Charlotte | Triad | Triangle | Coastal | Mountains


Today's Big Stories

1. Dangerous heat likely next week in North Carolina

If you think this week has been hot, just wait until next week. After a small dip in temperatures Friday, very hot conditions will build across North Carolina this weekend, leading to dangerous heat for early next week. Highs will likely reach the mid-90s to near 100 in some areas for Sunday, and for much of the state Monday and Tuesday. The mountains and the beaches will be a little cooler.

2. Fayetteville officer arrested after accusations of sexual battery

A Fayetteville police officer has been arrested after authorities said he “inappropriately touched” an employee numerous times. Officer Jacob Jones, 24, is charged with six counts of misdemeanor sexual battery. An investigation into Jones began last month after the Fayetteville Police Department’s Office of Professional Standards was contacted about an incident on May 13.

3. Portion of I-40 could be closed for weeks after rockslide, flash flooding, DOT officials say

A portion of Interstate 40 could be closed for at least two weeks near the Tennessee-North Carolina state line after flash flooding and a rockslide blocked the interstate Wednesday evening, officials said. Tennessee Department of Transportation officials anticipate it taking at least two weeks for the waters to recede and repairs and cleanup to take place before the interstate can reopen, they said Thursday.Tennessee Department of Transportation officials anticipate it taking at least two weeks for the waters to recede and repairs and cleanup to take place before the interstate can reopen, they said Thursday. 

4. 'More than just a technology upgrade': New database aims to strengthen childcare for N.C. foster families

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched a new child welfare information system that will connect all 100 counties in the state for the first time. DHHS leaders announced the statewide system Wednesday in Forsyth County.  “One of the things we’re going to be able to do is now get data on what exactly is happening for our most vulnerable kids in North Carolina,” DHHS Secretary Dev Sangvai said. 

Your Notes for Tomorrow

  • Chris Brown back before UK court accused of attacking music producer with bottle
  • 50th anniversary of 'Jaws' opening in the U.S.

 

In Case You Missed It

Carolina's finest star in Broadway hit, ‘Some Like It Hot’

The most award-winning musical of the Broadway season is taking over the Durham Performing Arts Center this week before it heads further west to the gate city. Some Like It Hot is set in prohibition-era Chicago, and tells the story of two best friends, forced to skip town after witnessing a racy crime