Those planning to celebrate Independence Day outdoors across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia should prepare for another day of dangerous heat, with only a slight chance of an afternoon thunderstorm.

Today will be sunny and very hot with a high near 96 degrees. Heat index values are expected to climb as high as 102 degrees during the afternoon. While an isolated shower or thunderstorm could develop after 2 p.m., mainly along the Alabama state line and in parts of far northwest Georgia, most communities are expected to remain dry through much of the day. A few additional thunderstorms will be possible Saturday evening before skies become partly cloudy overnight.

The National Weather Service says heat remains the biggest concern. “Feels like” temperatures are expected to exceed 90 degrees by around 10 a.m. and may not fall below that level until nearly 11 p.m., making it uncomfortably hot even after sunset. Anyone attending parades, cookouts, ballgames, fireworks displays, or other outdoor events should drink plenty of water, take frequent breaks in the shade or air conditioning, wear light-colored clothing, and check on children, older adults, and pets.

Rain chances increase beginning Sunday as the weather pattern becomes more typical for early July. Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are expected Sunday through at least Friday, with daily rain chances ranging from 40 to 60 percent. High temperatures will ease slightly into the lower 90s by early next week, but humidity will keep heat index values in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees each afternoon.

Anyone spending time outdoors over the holiday weekend should continue to monitor the forecast, especially if thunderstorms develop later in the weekend.