CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Friday’s expected high temperatures could be just the beginning of a “heat dome” that forecasters that could push temperatures into the triple digits next week.

“(The heat dome) will strengthen, it’ll be centered somewhere between Kentucky and Tennessee Wednesday and Thursday and we’ll be in the eastern periphery of it,” Accuweather senior meteorologist Chad Merrill told Cville Right Now. “The temperature very well may hit 100 degrees with the Accuweather Real Feel up to 115 when you combine it with the humidity.”

A heat dome is a large accumulation of high-pressure atmospheric air that doesn’t move and stagnates over one particular region. The heat effectively gets trapped under the dome.

“When you’re under that high, it is hot, it is sunny, it is cloudless, it is rain free, and when you’re on the northern periphery of that, it’s still hot and humid but you have occasional rounds of thunderstorms,” Merrill said.

July 3 is the Downtown Mall 50th anniversary celebration, then Saturday, July 4 is a day of events at Tonsler Park with fireworks ending that day as well as the fireworks being fired off at a Boar’s Head celebration and by the community off Carter Mountain.

“Friday, that’s the day before the 4th of July, we’re talking the upper 90s, and then over the weekend temperatures drop close to the seasonal averages of the lower 90s and that will come with a few shower and thunderstorm opportunities, as well,” Merrill forecasted.

Merrill suggested preparing to wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and said it’s not advisable to be outside during the prime heating hours.

“When you are outside during the prime heating hours, which a lot of people will be for the celebrations, make sure you seek shade under trees, and as much shade as possible because the UV index will be very high as well,” Merrill said.

Drink lots of liquids, Merrill advises.

“Heat stress and heat exhaustion can come on pretty quickly, and drinking water and electrolytes will help to replenish the loss with the sweating,” Merrill said. “Drinking alcohol, unfortunately, does deplete you, so keep that in mind because it’s going to be very hot and very humid.”