3:45 p.m. Updated Ware Mechanical Weather Center: Heat index at 105, temp 93 in Rome. Tonight: 20% rain chance, temp around 80 for fireworks.

Update: At 3:45 p.m. it was 93 degrees at Rome airport but felt like 105 with heat index. Hazardous weather outlook: Scattered thunderstorms expected today and tonight, mainly between 3-10 p.m. across North Georgia. A few storms could be strong and possibly severe with strong gusty winds, frequent lightning and locally heavy rain.

OUTLOOK

Mostly hot and humid for Independence Day with heat index near 99. Slight rain chance this afternoon. For fireworks tonight: a 20% rain chance with temps around 80.

Looking ahead, strong chance of thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday as a cold front moves into Georgia. While a strong to possibly severe thunderstorm is possible each day, the best chance for strong to severe storms will be Friday and Saturday.

Hour-by-Hour Forecast for tonight’s fireworks:

LOCAL RIVER LEVELS

Etowah River near Dixon Landing/Grizzard Park off the Bypass: Latest report

Oostanaula River at Turner McCall near Riverside Parkway: Latest report

FORECAST

Independence Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 91. Heat index values as high as 99. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.