Record-challenging heat to continue sweltering Americans across the South into early October
Millions across the South will face record-challenging temperatures through the end of September and into early October as an area of high pressure continues to remain anchored over the region.
By
Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Sep 26, 2019 8:05 AM EDT
Though fall is officially here, summerlike weather will continue baking much of the South into the beginning of October. Millions of Americans across the South will face more days of record-challenging temperatures as an area of high pressure remains anchored over the region.
Many cities across the region have broken multiple daily high-temperature records so far this month. Atlanta, for example, has already set seven daily high-temperature records this September. On Friday, the mercury rose to 95 degrees, and broke the city's previous Sept. 27 record of 93 set in in 1954.
Saturday was the sixth day in a row Atlanta has seen the temperature soar past 90 and AccuWeather is forecasting the 90-degree temps to hold through this week. The average high for Atlanta at this time of year is in the upper 70s.
A similar scenario is playing out in other cities as well.
Montgomery, Alabama, has set or tied nine daily records this month. Tallahassee, Florida, has set seven daily records in September and farther north in Nashville, Tennessee, six daily records have been broken or tied.
Fourteen cities in the East matched or set daily record high temperatures on Thursday, according to the NWS. Augusta and Savannah, Georgia, both topped 97 F while Columbia, South Carolina, had the high for the day at 99 F, topping the previous record of 97 F set in 1984.
As the upper-level pattern over the South remains relatively unchanged, many of the aforementioned cities will continue to challenge record-high temperatures nearly every day into early October.
Widespread temperatures in the 90s will remain firmly in place across the South.
This heat will require residents to continue to take the necessary precautions to lessen the risk of heat-related illnesses. This includes by wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, drinking plenty of water and limiting strenuous activity during the hottest times of the day.
Remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle for even a short amount of time.
On Friday afternoon, Sept. 27, two 11-month-old twins were found in a car in Oxford, Alabama. One of the twins passed away and the second child survived, according to AL.com.
Including this recent tragedy, 43 children have died this year across 21 states due to vehicular heatstroke, according to noheatstroke.org.
Some of the heat baking the South will spread northeastward into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic during the first half of this week.
Forecasters do not expect any heat relief to reach the South anytime soon.
The persistent heat into October will also act to delay fall foliage. While some peeks of color have been spotted across the mountains of North Carolina, many locales across the South do not expect to see peak colors until late October or early November. The persistent heat may act to delay these peak foliage times.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show expanding dry conditions across this region as well.
The abnormally dry conditions combined with the persistent heat across this region will add additional stress to vegetation, making leaves less vibrant than they would be in a more seasonable fall transition.
Download the free AccuWeather app to keep track of temperature trends in your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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Record-challenging heat to continue sweltering Americans across the South into early October
Millions across the South will face record-challenging temperatures through the end of September and into early October as an area of high pressure continues to remain anchored over the region.
By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist
Published Sep 26, 2019 8:05 AM EDT
Though fall is officially here, summerlike weather will continue baking much of the South into the beginning of October. Millions of Americans across the South will face more days of record-challenging temperatures as an area of high pressure remains anchored over the region.
Many cities across the region have broken multiple daily high-temperature records so far this month. Atlanta, for example, has already set seven daily high-temperature records this September. On Friday, the mercury rose to 95 degrees, and broke the city's previous Sept. 27 record of 93 set in in 1954.
Saturday was the sixth day in a row Atlanta has seen the temperature soar past 90 and AccuWeather is forecasting the 90-degree temps to hold through this week. The average high for Atlanta at this time of year is in the upper 70s.
A similar scenario is playing out in other cities as well.
Montgomery, Alabama, has set or tied nine daily records this month. Tallahassee, Florida, has set seven daily records in September and farther north in Nashville, Tennessee, six daily records have been broken or tied.
Fourteen cities in the East matched or set daily record high temperatures on Thursday, according to the NWS. Augusta and Savannah, Georgia, both topped 97 F while Columbia, South Carolina, had the high for the day at 99 F, topping the previous record of 97 F set in 1984.
As the upper-level pattern over the South remains relatively unchanged, many of the aforementioned cities will continue to challenge record-high temperatures nearly every day into early October.
Widespread temperatures in the 90s will remain firmly in place across the South.
This heat will require residents to continue to take the necessary precautions to lessen the risk of heat-related illnesses. This includes by wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, drinking plenty of water and limiting strenuous activity during the hottest times of the day.
Related:
Remember to never leave children or pets in a sealed vehicle for even a short amount of time.
On Friday afternoon, Sept. 27, two 11-month-old twins were found in a car in Oxford, Alabama. One of the twins passed away and the second child survived, according to AL.com.
Including this recent tragedy, 43 children have died this year across 21 states due to vehicular heatstroke, according to noheatstroke.org.
Some of the heat baking the South will spread northeastward into the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic during the first half of this week.
Forecasters do not expect any heat relief to reach the South anytime soon.
The persistent heat into October will also act to delay fall foliage. While some peeks of color have been spotted across the mountains of North Carolina, many locales across the South do not expect to see peak colors until late October or early November. The persistent heat may act to delay these peak foliage times.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor continues to show expanding dry conditions across this region as well.
The abnormally dry conditions combined with the persistent heat across this region will add additional stress to vegetation, making leaves less vibrant than they would be in a more seasonable fall transition.
Download the free AccuWeather app to keep track of temperature trends in your area. Keep checking back for updates on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.