4th of July Weather in Georgia: Dangerous Heat Before the Fireworks

We've been watching a chance for storms on July 4th, but the real story may turn out to be the heat.

Temperatures are expected to begin in the 70s, but warm quickly into the 90s and near 100 in eastern Georgia, according to the National Weather Service.

During the early afternoon, expect the heat index, or "feels like" temperature, to hit 98 degrees.

The heat and humidity will impact air quality in the area, particularly for at-risk groups like seniors, children and the sick, according to the weather service.

The forecast for the 4th of July notes a chance for storms. The wind will also be a factor for celebrations, with gusts reaching 15 mph.

Here's the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:

Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Independence Day: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 10am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Heat index values as high as 98. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.