07/02/2026
Copied from Washington Fire & Rescue
Good Afternoon Everyone,
Eastern North Carolina is forecasted to experience hazardous high temperatures over the 4th of July weekend. Forecast details for Beaufort County include:
Friday (7/3)
Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 98 and a Heat Index of 106.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between noon and 7pm.
Light S and SW winds around 5 mph are expected throughout the day.
Saturday (7/4)
Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 99 and a Heat Index of 110.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 10:30am and 8pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.
** Attendees of local firework displays (9p – 9:30pm) should expect a heat index of near 90 degrees, with little to no breeze. **
Sunday (7/5)
Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 99 and a Heat Index of 108.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 10:30am and 8pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.
Monday (7/6)
Our temperatures will peak around 4pm, with a high of 98 and a Heat Index of 109.
We will experience a Heat Index over 100 degrees between 11am and 8:30pm.
Light S and SW winds between 5 and 10 mph are expected throughout the day.
We encourage everyone to take the following important steps to protect yourself, your family, friends, neighbors, and pets from heat-related illness as you enjoy your holiday weekend.
Protecting Yourself and Your Family
-Drink plenty of water throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Limit or avoid alcohol, caffeine, and sugary drinks, which speed up dehydration.
-Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
-Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
-Take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning and pace yourself.
-NEVER leave children, elderly family members, or anyone in a parked vehicle, even with windows cracked. Interior temperatures can rise to dangerous levels in minutes.
-Check on neighbors, especially older adults, those with chronic health conditions (heart, lung, diabetes), pregnant individuals, and families with young children.
-Have a “buddy system” for outdoor events.
**Know the Signs & Act Quickly**
-Heat exhaustion — heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea, headache, or muscle cramps. Move to a cool place, loosen clothing, apply cool cloths, sip water, and rest. Seek medical help if symptoms worsen.
-Heat stroke (life-threatening emergency) — high body temperature, confusion, hot/dry skin, rapid pulse, slurred speech, or unconsciousness. Call 911 immediately. While waiting, move the person to shade, cool rapidly with water or ice packs on the neck and armpits, and fan them. Do not give fluids if unconscious.
Protecting Your Pets
-Provide constant access to fresh, cool water. Place multiple bowls in shaded spots if pets are outdoors and consider adding ice cubes to encourage drinking.
-Ensure pets have reliable shade or cool indoor space during peak heat hours.
-NEVER leave pets unattended in vehicles or tied outside in direct sunlight.
-Limit walks and exercise to early morning or late evening. Before walking on pavement, use the “5-second rule”: if it’s too hot for the back of your hand, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
-Watch closely for signs of overheating in pets: excessive panting, drooling, weakness, stumbling, bright red gums, or collapse. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic right away and begin safe cooling measures.
-After any swimming or boating, rinse pets to remove salt or chlorine and offer fresh water.
Have fun, but stay safe this Holiday weekend!
