The heat dome poses significant risks to North Carolinians, especially older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat-related illnesses. The phenomenon also increases the temperature of surfaces like pavement and playground equipment, raises air-conditioning usage, and inflates electric bills. Nights that fail to cool below 70°F (21.1°C) exacerbate the risk of heat-related illnesses. Climate change has amplified the severity of such events, with average July temperatures in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham rising by 3.2°F (1.8°C) and 4.9°F (2.7°C), respectively, since 1970.