Hot weather -- 90-plus degree temperatures -- is here to stay for a while.

The preliminaries have ended. Real summer weather is arriving in the Rock Hill area, forecasters say.

That means a steady dose of 90-degree-plus temperatures, high humidity, and a few afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

After a few small doses of hot weather so far this summer, the real deal is expected to arrive. Meteorologists are predicting six consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures, starting Friday. And the heat wave is likely to continue beyond that. In fact, government meteorologists are predicting a chance of above-average temperatures through at least July 22.

Afternoon readings are expected to be near 90 degrees Thursday, then climb several degrees for Friday and Saturday. All of this will be accompanied by high humidity levels, forecasters say.

“Overall, expect temperatures a category or two above normal, which will result in heat indices getting into the 100-103 degree range across much of the I-85 corridor and south,” says National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Lane.

The heat index measures the combined impact of heat and humidity. A 100-degree heat index means the air feels like 100 degrees, even though the actual air temperature might be a few degrees lower.

Highs on Friday through Sunday could approach 95 degrees in some places around the Rock Hill area. There have been 13 days of 90 degrees or higher so far this year in Rock Hill. The hottest was a 94-degree reading on Independence Day.

Thunderstorm activity is expected to be widely scattered, Lane says. Many areas probably will remain rain-free for the next several days.

This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 12:32 PM.