Record-challenging heat to expand across southern US this week

By Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather Meteorologist

Record-challenging heat will continue to make it feel like the middle of summer across much of the southern United States this week.

The scorching heat was enough to set daily record temperatures in places like Jacksonville, Florida, and Charleston, South Carolina, this past Saturday. The record-challenging heat is forecast to expand its grip across much of the South in the coming days as an expansive dome of high pressure settles in over the region.

Normal high temperatures for the second week of September across the South range from the middle 80s to lower 90s F.

Highs in the middle 90s to near 100 are forecast over a broad area.

AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures will be several degrees higher than the actual temperature during the mid- to late-afternoon hours.

Temperatures will peak within a few degrees of daily record highs in Atlanta this week. Records still in the books date back to as early as 1900 this week, which is the case on Thursday. Back in 1925, there is an eight-day string of record highs that remain in tact from Sept. 3 through 10. The records set in 1925 will be challenged through Tuesday. Likewise, more recent daily records set on Wednesday and Thursday may be broken.

Atlanta is not the only city that will be challenging record-high temperatures in the coming days. Nashville and New Orleans, as well as Montgomery and Birmingham, Alabama, and dozens of other locations will all experience record-challenging heat this week.

Adding in other factors like humidity, wind and the amount of sunlight, Accuweather RealFeel® Temperatures will exceed the century mark for much of the South.

On top of the heat, the air mass overhead will also limit the chances for a cooling shower or thunderstorm. Portions of the Deep South and Southeast are in a slight to moderate drought and the upcoming forecast would only suggest these areas will expand in the coming week.

A stagnant air mass overhead will also lead to air quality issues across much of the South, especially in urban areas and locales that do not receive any rainfall. Children and people sensitive to high levels of ozone and pollutants in the air are urged to take caution while heading outdoors.

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With football season underway, it is also important for athletes to take necessary precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Taking frequent water breaks and avoiding exercise during the peak heating afternoon hours can limit the chance of falling victim to the heat.

"While the sun angle continues to lower in the sky as we approach the autumnal equinox, anyone spending prolonged time outside should remember to remain hydrated and apply sunscreen." AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun stated.

A break in the heat is possible this weekend as AccuWeather meteorologists are monitoring a tropical wave that may cross Florida and reach the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of the extent of tropical development, more widespread showers and thunderstorms across the Deep South will likely keep afternoon high temperatures closer to seasonable readings for mid-September.

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.